Agenda - 07/10/12 Eugene City Council and EWEB Joint Meeting

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City of Eugene, Oregon Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Message Even when we successfully close the General Fund gap, we will have to overcome many other challenges before we see financial sustainability. Here are some of the challenges we’ll face: Stabilizing the Ambulance Transport Fund Stabilizing the Parking Fund Ensuring adequate public safety funding Continuing to eliminate the street maintenance backlog Adequately funding human service needs Identifying sufficient resources to maintain City-owned buildings and replace equipment Finding a long-term funding solution for parks and recreation operating and maintenance costs The plan presented in this proposed budget is a step towards obtaining long-term financial health for our organization. Seeing this through will require that we avoid “kicking the can down the road,” which would make next year’s discussions that much more difficult. We have an opportunity to continue to work together with the same leadership, vision, and discipline that placed us in a position to be proactive in our approach. Taking action now will allow us to address our General Fund gap thoughtfully, and to begin focusing on the currently unfunded needs of the community. I am confident that we can do that. The FY13 Proposed Budget continues a necessary organizational reset that prepares our community for the future. We remain focused on what we can do, but there are no easy solutions when it comes to responsibly living within our means and closing the additional FY14 gap. I would like to thank the executive team, division managers, finance team and the many employees who helped develop this budget. These professionals remain committed to providing the highest quality of services today, preparing the organization for tomorrow, and investing in the community’s future. As we turn this spending plan over to you for your review and approval, we ask for your guidance, trust and confidence. Sincerely, Jon R. Ruiz City Manager