New Search
� = Central Services <br /> � Finance Division <br /> EU Financial Analysis <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 100 West 10 Ave, Suite 400 <br /> MEMORANDUM Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br /> (541) 682 -8417 <br /> (541) 682 -5802 FAX <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> Date: January 17, 2006 <br /> To: Becky Carlson, PW Administrative Division Manager <br /> From: Larry Hill, Financial Analyst, 682 -5722 <br /> Subject: Special district alternatives for maintenance and operation of street lighting <br /> The purpose of this memo is to briefly describe alternatives available to the City of Eugene to fund <br /> operation and maintenance of the City of Eugene's street lighting system using a special district. Street <br /> lighting services are currently funded from the City's Road Fund, which has an ongoing shortfall. <br /> Available special district types include: <br /> • City Special Service District <br /> • City Local Improvement District <br /> • Highway Lighting District <br /> • County Road District <br /> • County Service District <br /> A City Special Service District would probably be the most flexible and suitable form of special district <br /> for provision of street lighting services. <br /> Districts formed under City Home Rule Authority <br /> City Special Service District <br /> Under its home rule powers the Eugene City Charter grants the City Council broad authority over matters <br /> within the city's boundaries. The Eugene City Council may by ordinance establish a Special Services <br /> District and levy a fee or an assessment on occupants of property benefited by particular services <br /> provided within the district. Currently, the City has two Special Service Districts formed under this <br /> authority, in the Downtown area and in the West University area, to fund particular services provided to <br /> those areas. <br /> Street lighting services could be funded by a Special Services District. All properties in the city that <br /> benefit from street lighting could be included in a single district. A monthly fee or assessment levied for <br /> operation and maintenance of street lighting could be imposed. The fee or assessment could be composed <br /> of various components such as a base fee and a local assessment tailored to a specific area of the city. The <br /> fee or assessment would not be based on value of property and so would not be subject to the General <br /> Government tax cap nor would not contribute to tax compression. The City Council would establish a <br /> district and associated assessments or fees by ordinance. <br /> The City of Klamath Falls and the City of Nyssa currently levy fees for street lighting services under their <br /> home rule authority. Since 1991 Nyssa has charged occupied residences $2.50 and occupied <br />