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Special District White Paper <br /> powers and limitations. The array of possible special districts variously serve single purposes or <br /> multiple purposes. <br /> Most special districts can serve contiguous or non - contiguous territory and may include both <br /> incorporated and unincorporated areas within their boundaries, and some may even extend <br /> countywide. Multiple special districts can coexist, although no two districts formed under the same <br /> principal Act may overlap in Lane County. In some cases, special districts can provide services and <br /> levy assessments or taxes based on differentiated service zones within their boundaries. <br /> Each type of district is granted particular authority by its principal Act to levy property taxes and <br /> otherwise raise revenue, own or lease facilities, hire employees and so forth. In a typical role, a <br /> special district generates revenue, employs staff, owns or leases facilities, and provides program <br /> services to residents of the district. Districts may contract with cities, counties, other existing <br /> districts, and private contractors to provide the services desired. A district board is allowed to <br /> change the name of its district. <br /> It is particularly important to note that an independently elected board of directors usually governs a <br /> special district. Such an elected district board is answerable to the district's electors only. The <br /> exceptions, among the types of districts discussed in this paper, are county service districts and <br /> county road districts, for which the county board of commissioners acts as the district governing <br /> board. Since powers of a special district are specified in the district's principal Act, a special <br /> district's capabilities cannot be limited by another jurisdiction. Relationships between a special <br /> district and a city are fundamentally peer -to -peer, established on the same grounds as other <br /> intergovernmental relationships. <br /> Special Districts May Serve Territory within an Incorporated City <br /> A city may be included within and be served by a newly formed district of the types discussed in this <br /> paper. Special districts are also permitted to annex territory within an incorporated city. Territory <br /> within a city may not be included within or annexed to a district without the consent of the city <br /> council. Inclusion of a city must also be consistent with the local comprehensive plan. <br /> A district might provide services only to one city or to the broader Eugene - Springfield metropolitan <br /> area, including surrounding unincorporated urban and rural areas, and even nearby cities. <br /> If formation of, or annexation to, a special district is proposed to provide services currently provided <br /> by a city, the relationship among the services to be provided by both the city and the district should <br /> be examined in order to ensure an orderly transition and avoid interruption of services. A range of <br /> transition alternatives exists. Affected city services might be performed under contract with the <br /> special district. In some cases, the City may stop providing the service and the district will provide it <br /> instead. Existing city assets and facilities could be loaned, transferred or leased to a special district. <br /> If affected facilities were retained in city ownership they might be operated and maintained by the <br /> city under contract with the district. It could be possible for the city council to adopt a contingent <br /> resolution changing the city's affected services to be effective upon implementation of the special <br /> district's services and not before. <br /> j <br /> Special Districts Paper - Final 11- 8- 01.doc Page 6 of 41 <br /> City Council Agenda page 30 <br />