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likelihood of passing with the voters rather than something originating with that particular council <br />at that time. She raised concern over the current condition of the local economy, the role of <br />Eugene in the metropolitan area, and the need for funding of core services with multiple funding <br />mechanisms. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said he was opposed to gross receipts tax. He reiterated Ms. Bettman's concern <br />regarding the need to re-prioritize City services with voters. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly wanted to see a proposal that would add services and broaden the tax base and would <br />lower property taxes by a significant percentage as part of the redistribution package. He said it <br />was too early to survey the public. He said it would take time to develop good questions for a <br />survey that got useful answers. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman said the success of any measure would be tied to what the revenue source was <br />dedicated to. She said that revenue sources needed to be aligned with service priorities. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor said he would vote against moving ahead at the current time. He said he did not <br />believe in operating levies. He expressed concern over increasing taxes and opined that the City <br />had not done enough to address the funding problems with PERS and retiree medical benefits. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Mr. Pap8 regarding which presented option would be the easiest <br />for staff to administer, City Manager Carlson said it was the income surtax, (either on the personal <br />or corporate structure). He said the gross receipts tax would be next simplest. He said a sales <br />tax would be the most difficult because none of the local businesses had the mechanisms for <br />collecting it. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 stressed the need to get the general public educated on the issue. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor expressed a desire to go to the ballot with a proposal to cut property taxes if new taxes <br />pass. She suggested a combination of gross receipts and income tax surcharge. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr said the current council was not the right council to put forward a decision. He suggested <br />letting the community put the ideas forward before taking action. He raised concern over trying to <br />force something on the voters. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner suggested that the Budget Committee re-prioritize services each year before each <br />new budget process. He said this would provide a fresh look at what current priorities were when <br />each budget cycle began. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner commented that Oregon had one of the most regressive income tax rate systems for <br />Iow income taxpayers. He stressed the need, if an income tax surcharge were passed, for a <br />significant exemption for Iow-income taxpayers. He expressed a desire to see the County and <br />especially the State to look at the entire revenue and expenditure structure of the State. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson noted that there was an annual community survey. Judging from those, she said <br />she had seen no public demand for new revenue sources to expand City services. She stressed <br />the importance of arranging for a community dialogue. She was against taking any action at the <br />current time. <br />Mayor Torrey said that it was not the time to start the process for finding new sources of revenue. <br />He said he would vote in opposition if there was a tie vote. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 24, 2002 Page 8 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />