Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

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Advantages: Puts local fire service within the UGB under a single provider; as incorporation proceeds Eugene Fire will eventually be the sole provider anyway. Challenges: Potentially important local institutions, such as the volunteer firefighter corps, will be lost; a form of local neighborhood governance (service on district boards) is also lost; the Santa Clara Fire District in particular is left with significantly reduced territory to serve and would probably no longer be financially viable; issues surrounding the continued long-term viability of the Santa Clara Water District are similar to River Road (see above); the Water District may not have an interest in being a fire service contractor. ? Option No. 5: Lane and Santa Clara Fire Merge – Such an option could be combined with the expansion, status quo or withdrawal options described above. As described under “Current Situation” above, this option has been discussed previously between the two Fire Districts. In a scenario where most of Santa Clara Fire’s territory within the UGB is annexed to City of Eugene, a merger may be the only practical way for remaining homes within the former Santa Clara Fire District to receive fire service. Advantages: Reduces the number of fire service providers in the neighborhood, helps to sustain a locally governed institution (including volunteer brigades); avoids the issue of some out-of-UGB residents losing fire protection services Challenges: Prior merger discussions have not been successful; ultimately a merged district’s tax rate could increase over current rates, potentially resulting in reduced services; merger would not stop the pace of incorporation and the resultant decline in territory serviced by the merged Fire District Heritage Options The preceding transition options beg the question for what is may be the biggest “heritage” factor in neighborhood fire service: the fate of the corps of community members that come together to protect their neighbor’s lives and property through volunteer service with the two fire districts. Note: the following options would of necessity have to be made in concert with other decisions to continue or modify fire district services within the UGB. ? Option No. 1: Let the Volunteer Services Lapse – The two Fire Districts, faced with a potentially declining recruitment base (e.g.: residents of non-City properties within their service territories are declining because the pace of annexation is quickening), could simply allow the volunteer corps to lapse over time. Note: Lane Fire/Rescue claims to be very successful in recruiting volunteers from outside of its service territory, thus mitigating some of this concern. Advantages: None (to the Fire Districts) excepting some current administrative and training costs may not be incurred; City of Eugene would not have to create a volunteer service (as per options below). Challenges: May create staffing shortages for the Fire Districts that can only be mitigated by increased payroll; means the end of long established community institutions ? Option No. 2: Sustain the Current Volunteer Services - From the perspective of preserving community heritage there is less to be gained by working to sustain a volunteer corps that primarily serves as the training and testing ground for future paid professionals. This may make this option more or less important within the context of a community heritage strategy depending on the emphasis and needs of the two Districts in recruiting volunteers. Advantages: Sustains an important outlet for community involvement; keeps Fire District operational costs down Challenges: The “pool” of potential volunteers may shrink as more property in Santa Clara is annexed (see caveat under Option No. 1 above) 12 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review