|
THE COMMUNITY
<br />Home to 146,160 people, Eugene is Oregon’s third
<br />largest city. The community covers 41.53 square miles,
<br />with the Willamette River running through the heart of the
<br />City and the McKenzie River joining the Willamette just
<br />north of town. The City is surrounded on three sides by
<br />hills, is midway between the Pacific Ocean and the snow-
<br />capped Cascade Mountains, and offers residents an
<br />outstanding quality of life and a wide variety of recre-
<br />ational opportunities nearby, including rafting, fishing,
<br />golfing, hiking, skiing, and beachcombing. Eugene’s
<br />climate, with an average of 53 degrees, is one of the
<br />City’s attractive features.
<br />Eugene is well-known as the home of the University of
<br />Oregon. With 20,000 students and over 6,000 employ-
<br />ees, the University plays a major role in the community,
<br />as does Lane Community College. The employment base
<br />THE ORGANIZATION
<br />has become increasingly dominated by services, trade,
<br />and government, and less reliant on the timber industry.
<br />Eugene has a well-educated labor force with nearly 35%
<br />In 1944, the citizens of Eugene adopted a council/
<br />of the adult population having completed four or more
<br />manager form of government. In this form of government,
<br />years of college.
<br />the City Council develops legislation and policies to direct
<br />the City. The City Manager, hired by the City Council,
<br />Eugene is a friendly, progressive community with resi-
<br />oversees City of Eugene personnel and operations and
<br />dents who are active and concerned about quality of life
<br />caries out the City Council’s direction.
<br />issues. The University brings a more cosmopolitan feel to
<br />the community, and the collegiate teams have contributed
<br />The Mayor serves as the City’s political head and chair-
<br />excitement and pride on a regional basis. The City’s Hult
<br />person of the eight-member Council. The Mayor, elected
<br />Center for the Performing Arts, recognized as the finest
<br />by the city at large on a nonpartisan ballot for a four-year
<br />facility of its type in the state, brings renowned entertain-
<br />term, is the formal representative of the City. The Mayor
<br />ers to the community throughout the year. It is home to
<br />presides over City Council meetings, and votes in the
<br />seven resident companies: Eugene Symphony, Opera,
<br />case of a tie vote of Council members. The Mayor can
<br />Ballet, and the internationally acclaimed Oregon Bach
<br />veto any decision, but can be overridden by a two-thirds
<br />Festival. Many residents are health and fitness oriented,
<br />vote of the Council. Councilors are elected by ward on a
<br />and Eugene was recently awarded the Olympic Trials for
<br />nonpartisan ballot to four-year staggered terms.
<br />Track and Field in 2008. Overall, Eugene is an attractive
<br />community with quality schools, a beautiful environment,
<br />Eugene has over 1,400 employees and a $450 million
<br />a temperate climate, and a diverse, dynamic culture.
<br />total budget. The City of Eugene provides services
<br />through six departments:
<br />•Central Services
<br />•Fire & Emergency Medical Services
<br />•Police
<br />•Library, Recreation and Cultural Services
<br />•Planning and Development
<br />•Public Works
<br />The Eugene Police Department
<br />The Eugene Police Department serves all city residents,
<br />as well as the region through it’s 9-1-1 Communications
<br />Center. The Department has over 300 employees and a
<br />budget of $36.3 million in FY2005. Approximately 180
<br />sworn officers work in patrol, investigations, traffic
<br />enforcement and administrative positions, while 120
<br />civilian employees work in records, communications, and
<br />administrative and support positions. These employees
<br />are distributed through the Department’s four divisions:
<br />
|