The City of Eugene is facing a multi-million dollar gap in its budget, so it's asking residents' help to shape a solution. A series of community meetings starting this week are being held at local high schools to discuss the situation.
Last year, Eugene voters defeated a City service fee. To balance the budget, funds were transferred from its Reserve account. But, that fix was only supposed to fill the gap for one year. City Councilor Claire Syrett says if they are not able to find some new solutions, they might be back in the same position as last year.
Syrett- "Which is looking at reducing City services, potentially closing a pool, and libraries and those types of things. So while I can't say what's going to happen down the road, absent some new strategies, those types of things would still be potentially on the list."
Syrett says they are starting the conversation early in hopes of finding an answer by the spring, when the next budget is approved. Over the past four years, the City has decreased its expenses by 24 million and eliminated 100 positions.
The first meeting is Tuesday, October 15, in South Eugene High School at 6:00 PM.
Tuesday, October 15 South Eugene High School
Wednesday, October 23 Sheldon High School
Thursday, October 24 North Eugene High School
Tuesday, October 29 Willamette High School
Wednesday, October 30 Churchill High School
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