Eugene leaders faced a crowded Budget Committee Wednesday as they heard plans for an $11.5 million cut to city services.
Eugene hoped to avoid another year of serious budget cuts with a fire fee, but the proposal was referred to the ballot instead.
Now the city is facing the closure of the downtown library 2 days a week, the end of the city’s contract with Greenhill Humane Society, and the closure of Amazon Pool and Sheldon Community Center in the fall.
City Manager Sarah Medary said she had to focus on preserving core government functions.
"While some value some services more than others, all of our services are valued by members of our community and the people that are performing them,” she said.
She also thanked city staff for the hard work over the years, saying many had already taken on extra work after previous budget cuts.
The city is also cutting support staff for many departments, alternative response funds that were previously used by CAHOOTS, and some community policing positions.
Overall, the proposed budget would eliminate more than 200 jobs, mostly temporary and seasonal positions.
Several council members raised concerns about the proposed cuts, with Matt Keating saying he was worried about the long-term effects of reducing services downtown, and the loss of funding for CAHOOTS.
“There are a host of serious public safety concerns in this budget,” he said.
Both he and City Council member Eliza Kashinsky also raised concerns about ending the city’s contract with Greenhill, noting that there would be nowhere for police to send lost or dangerous dogs.
Eugene City Councilors have discussed passing a scaled down alternative to the fire fee, but have not made a decision.
One budget committee member, Wendy Simmons, also raised concerns about the library, saying she was hoping the city could find a way to restore some funds to the library to avoid cutting services that serve young people and those experiencing homelessness.
"They serve people of all ages, they help the most vulnerable and give them a welcoming, and safe place to be, especially in adverse weather conditions," she said.
No public comment was allowed at Wednesday’s meeting, but the budget committee has several meetings over the next few weeks to allow public comment to ensure more community members have a chance to weigh in on any cuts.
