Eugene, the services we depend on are at stake
What services are on the chopping block?
The following items are the list of potential cuts to help fill the
$11.5 million budget shortfall if the Fire Fee is overturned
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Alternative Response $1-2M
Technical Rescue Team <$200K
Hazmat Team <$200K
Seasonal Fire Station Closure $1-2M
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Animal Welfare Unit $500K-1M
Bailiff Unit $200-500K
Community Safety Officer <$200K
Volunteers in Policing $200-$500K
Community Engagement Team $500K-1M
Downtown Team $1-2M
Traffic Safety Unit $1-2M
Alternative Response $1-2M
Technical Rescue Team <$200K
Hazmat Team <$200K
Seasonal Fire Station Closure $1-2M
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Operational Shifts
$200-$500k
Direct Partner Support <$200K
Amazon Pool $500-$1M
Community Center Closure $500-$1M
Downtown Library Closure 1 Day $200-$500K
In a second scenario cuts would reflect the following:
Downtown Library Closure 2 Days $500k-1M
Closure of 2 additional community centers & Restructure of Youth and Family Services $500k-1M
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Reduced Park Maintenance $200-500K
In a second scenario the following cuts would be made:
Volunteers & Community Gardens $200-$500K
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Homeless Services $500K-$1M
HSC Funds to Lane County $500K-$1M
Economic Development Business Retention $200-500K
In a second scenario the following cuts would be made:
Neighborhood Services Officers $500-$1M
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Operational Shifts $200-500K
Central Communications <$200K
Downtown Cleanup and Beautification $200-$500K
Neighborhood Services $200-500K
Emergency Management Team Support <$200K
Facilities Energency Management Program Support <$200K
Employee Resource Center Support $200-500K
In a second scenario the following cuts would be made:
Intergovernmental Relations $200-$500K
Office of Equity & Community Engagement $500-$1M
Reduce Scope of Municipal Court $500-$1M
Delivery of Core Business Functions (unknown cost)
Learn more about the Fire Fee
The Eugene Fire Department has only increased by a single firefighter shift per day since 1981, while the City’s population and the need for fire services have grown substantially. The fire fee will fund a brand new 24-hour squad, with the ability to have three squads during wildfire season - which would increase Eugene’s Wildfire Response capabilities by 30% on the most dangerous days of the year. This reduced response time will protect homeowners from fire and also help lower fire insurance rates.
Without this additional revenue, the City of Eugene will be forced to reduce the number of firefighting units and reduce or eliminate other services that directly impact public safety, health, and livability. These cuts could result in slower fire and emergency response; a reduction of public safety officers; the elimination of services that protect people and animals; reduced access to the public library, community centers, and pools; and a reduction in vital homeless and health crisis services.
The passage of the City of Eugene’s Fire Fee was critical to maintaining funding for the programs and services Eugene residents have come to expect in our community. The Fire Fee expands and guarantees funding for firefighters by creating a protected Fire Service Fund. It ensures funding for fire and emergency response while at the same time freeing up resources for other critical services.
