Noting city’s lack of discipline, Chamber requests sunset on new parks fee

A proposed parks fee gets a public hearing: The Chamber of Commerce asks the city to grow the economy instead of creating more fees. On June 17:

Sarah Medary (Eugene city manager): The Eugene City Council is holding a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending Section 6.406 of Eugene Code, expanding the definition of stormwater service to add the operation and maintenance of city-owned parks and open spaces. Adoption of the proposed ordinance will not change the stormwater rates. Any rate change would occur through a subsequent process in accordance with the Eugene Code.

[00:00:37] Tiffany Edwards (Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce): My name is Tiffany Edwards… and I am here tonight to weigh in on the proposed change to stormwater fees for parks, on behalf of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.

[00:00:47] Our Local Government Affairs Council (LGAC) had a presentation by (City Manager) Sarah Medary, (Assistant City Manager) Matt Rodrigues, and (Chief Financial Officer) Twyla Miller, and following that presentation, LGAC held extensive deliberations on the topic. While the members did not vote to take a formal position, I wanted to share a few takeaways from that conversation.

[00:01:07] We certainly understand the financial circumstances that the city is currently in, largely due in part to the structural deficiencies of our state’s tax system. However, we do have concerns about what a future administration or future city manager would have the authority to do with these dollars.

[00:01:24] Expanding the definition of what funds from fees can be spent on lacks transparency and could have problematic implications, risking further erosion of the public’s trust in its city government and future parks funding initiatives.

[00:01:40] There should be clarity and strong alignment between the funding source and what it’s being used for. It was suggested that you might consider a five-year sunset on this policy, to be reevaluated in the event that the funding for city services is stabilized.

[00:01:55] The other point we wanted to convey was concern over the city’s lack of discipline when taking on new funding obligations without a plan to manage or sustain these services.

[00:02:05] We’d like to see Council prioritize growing our economy and fostering a thriving business climate to generate more tax dollars rather than raising fees on an existing pool of businesses and taxpayers.

[00:02:19] I mentioned we don’t have an official position largely because we don’t have a better solution to offer, and we understand our budgetary challenges and the complexities around the underlying structural deficiencies of our tax structure.

[00:02:32] But we are actively engaged in ongoing conversations with our statewide partners, looking for permanent solutions. We appreciate being invited to the table and to the conversation and we will continue to welcome opportunities to stay engaged and we thank you for allowing our voice to be heard.

[00:02:49] John Q: As the city considers new fees for parks and fire services, the Chamber urges the city to grow the economy, shares concerns over ‘the city’s lack of discipline,’ and asks for a five-year sunset.

If the Council approves stormwater money for parks, the city hopes to later work with EWEB to increase the stormwater charge on your utility bill.