HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4890
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COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 4890
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR MEASURE
20-114, A MEASURE TO CHANGE THE CHARTER OF LANE
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
PASSED: 6:2
REJECTED:
OPPOSED: Bettman, Taylor
ABSENT:
RECUSED:
CONSIDERED: September 25, 2006
RESOLUTION NO. 4890
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR MEASURE 20-114, A MEASURE TO
CHANGE THE CHARTER OF lANE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Whereas, the Lane County Public Safety Task Force (PSTF) consisted of
elected officials from Lane County, from the 12 cities in Lane County, the District
Attorney, and the Sheriff, and
Whereas, the Task Force analyzed needs, problems, and issues within the
public safety system, established a focus and goals for the system for at least the next
five years, reviewed a list of new, restored, or enhanced programs and services that
would help achieve goals, and chose a budget level appropriate to improve the public
safety system in Lane County, and
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners of Lane County has adopted virtually all
of the recommendations of the Task Force, and
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners considered a variety of methods to
finance the programs and services recommended by the Task Force, and
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners believes that: 1) an income tax is the
fairest and most likely financing method that would be supported by the people of Lane
County; 2) that compromise is sometimes necessary to achieve goals and an income
tax is a reasonable choice compared to other financing techniques; and 3) cities
specifically requested that property taxes not be considered as the primary financing
technique, and
Whereas, the proposed Charter Amendment to limit the Board of
Commissioner's authority would: 1) cap the rate of any income tax at 2 percent of net
income; 2) dedicate the revenue only to public safety purposes; 3) require property tax
relief equal to 95 cents/$1 000 of assessed property value; and 4) establish a reserve to
stabilize services during economic downturns and unforeseen events, and
Whereas, if passed, no changes to these Charter limitations could be made
without another positive vote of the people, and
Whereas, the Board of Commissioners would appreciate a Resolution of Support
from each city in the county to pass Measure 20-114, a measure to change the Charter
of Lane County government,
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCil OF
THE CITY OF EUGENE, AS FOllOWS:
1. The City Council supports the recommendation of the Public Safety Task
Force that the focus of the public safety system for at least the next five years should be
on illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol-especially methamphetamine.
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2. The City Council supports the recommendation of the Public Safety Task
Force that the public safety system should concentrate on achieving four goals, all
related to illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol, over at least the next five years: 1)
Target these Groups for Special Action--lIlegal Drug Producers, Dealers, and Users and
Target Property Criminals; 2) Reduce Family Violence; 3) Enhance Treatment
Programs; and 4) Provide Prevention Programs.
3. The City Council believes that the new, restored, or enhanced public safety
programs and services, totaling $21.130 million annually, recommended by the Public
Safety Task Force, will improve the county's public safety system.
4. The City Council believes that the proposed Charter Amendment to limit the
authority of the current Board of Commissioners, or any future Board, should be passed
because only through a Charter Amendment can voters control the most important
elements of an income tax ordinance.
5. The City Council supports the passage of Measure 20-114 and urges a Yes
vote on the Charter Amendment.
Approved b~ the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, at its regular
meeting on the 25t day of September, 2006.
--1Y\a~
v Ity ecorder
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