Item B: Strategies for Long-Term Transportation Needs

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ATTACHMENT C Calculation Base and The administrative costs would be higher for more complex Typical Rates (cont’d) methods. If the street lighting service fee were collected separately from wastewater billings, collection costs will also be higher. Before implementing a street light assessment program, a more in-depth examination will need to be made of assessment methodology, collection methods, administrative costs, and resulting fee levels. Estimated Revenue Total fees assessed would be set to generate enough revenue Yield, Administration to cover street light operating, maintenance, enhancement and and Enforcement Costs administrative costs, net of other revenue that may be available for street lighting services. Legal Authority and Under Oregon’s constitutional home rule powers the Eugene Restrictions on Use City Charter grants the City Council broad authority over matters within the city’s boundaries. The City Council may levy fees or assessment on occupants of property benefited by particular city services. Service fees are usually authorized by ordinance, and fee levels are set to meet annual service costs. Revenue is dedicated to the purpose of the fee. A citywide fee for citywide services may be implemented without use of a special services district. The City’s Stormwater and Wastewater service fees are examples of citywide fees for citywide services assessed according to benefit received by occupants of property. For services to limited areas of the city a special services district is used. Currently, the City has two Special Service Districts formed under this authority, in the Downtown area and in the West University area, to fund particular services provided to those areas. It would be possible, though not necessary, to use a special services district that extends citywide to assess fees for street lighting service. Service fees are assessed on the benefit of the service to the occupant of the property, not on the value of property, and so do not fall under constitutional tax limitations. Service fees assessments do not contribute to property tax compression. Incidence (who pays?) The occupant of record of each property receiving benefit from street lighting services will be liable for the fee on the property. If street lighting fees are collected along with wastewater fees, the person responsible for the water service bill will also be liable for both wastewater and street lighting fee. Fairness & Equity Fairness and equity will be advanced by adopting a fee assessment methodology that results in fees that reflect substantially different level of street lighting services in different areas of the city, as well as citywide benefits from arterial/collector lighting.