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ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Work Session: 4J and Bethel Budget Shortfall <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: January 24, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 4 <br />Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Sue Cutsogeorge <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5589 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />This work session is a continuation of the council discussion about whether to move forward <br />with consideration of a new revenue source to assist the public schools. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />As the magnitude of the budget shortfall facing the Eugene School District has become clearer in <br />recent months, a community discussion has emerged around the possibility of the City of Eugene <br />enacting a tax on behalf of the local public school systems. <br /> <br /> <br />On December 14,2010, Mayor Piercy held a public forum on the topic to hear from concerned <br />citizens and a citizen group has formed to explore the idea further. While the City can impose <br />the taxes suggested by the citizen group, such efforts should be evaluated in a broader context <br />including competing measures (both City of Eugene and other local jurisdictions), which options <br />are viable and what the funds raised should be used for. <br /> <br />On January 11, 2011, the council met to discuss a possible new revenue for schools. Several key <br />questions were posed in order to provide direction on whether to move forward, and if it was <br />decided to move forward, what the revenue package should look like. A list of the key questions <br />is included in Attachment A. <br /> <br />As a result of their discussion, the council directed the City Manager to create an education sub- <br />committee that would include representatives of the City of Eugene, the Bethel and 4J school <br />districts, Stand for Children and the business community, and to return to the council with <br />recommendations. The charge of the subcommittee is included as Attachment B. On January 18 <br />and January 20, the Subcommittee on Education Funding met to discuss an income tax proposal <br />for education funding. A report on the subcommittee’s progress will be provided at the council <br />work session. Subcommittee materials are available on the City’s website at www.eugene- <br /> <br />or.gov/schooltax. <br /> <br />Next Steps: If the council identifies a revenue source that should be pursued and provides <br />answers to the questions in Attachment A, staff will prepare a measure for the ballot for the <br />council to consider at the February 14 meeting. <br /> <br />\\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110124\S1101244.doc <br />