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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br /> Work Session: Discussion of Proposed Lane County Public Safety District <br /> <br />Meeting Date: September 15, 2004 Agenda Item Number: A <br />Department: City Manager's Office Staff Contact: Jim Carlson <br />www. cl. eugene, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5524 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />Lane County officials will provide an update on recent conversations concerning a public safety special <br />district and how this proposal will affect the residents of Eugene. Presenters include Commissioner <br />Bobby Green, Sheriff Jan Clements, and David Garnick, representing County administration. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />In recent years, Lane County has experienced a number of revenue shortfalls and resulting budget <br />reductions. However, throughout this time public safety demands have continued to grow, thus forcing <br />Lane County to seek ways to provide adequate funding. A broad based public safety property tax <br />measure was crafted by the Public Safety Coordinating Committee; Councilor Nathanson is the City of <br />Eugene representative to that body. A measure creating an income tax surcharge was also placed on the <br />ballot. Bond measures for additional jail capacity and an enhanced emergency system were placed on <br />the ballot as well. All of these were rejected by the voters in Lane County. <br /> <br />The Lane County Board of Commissioners first discussed this item on August 25, 2004. At the request <br />of Sheriff Clements, the commissioners were urged to proceed with Metro Plan amendments to clarify <br />and provide greater flexibility in service delivery in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. A board <br />order to that affect is attached (Attachment C). <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />While this is a county-wide proposal, the issue relates to the council goal of a safe community. The City <br />of Eugene is a part of the larger criminal justice system in Lane County, when the county does not have <br />adequate resources to fund its portions of the criminal justice system, the entire system is less safe and <br />citizens are at a greater risk. <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br />None, this is set for discussion only. No decisions are requested. <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION <br />None. <br /> <br /> L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040915\S040915A. doc <br /> <br /> <br />