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Special District White Paper <br /> In addition to the "Growth Management and the Urban Service Area" section, the "Public Utilities, <br /> Services, and Facilities" element, Chapter III -G, contains policy governing special districts (p. III -G- <br /> 5): <br /> Policy #5 states: "Efforts shall be made to reduce the number of unnecessary special <br /> service districts and to revise confusing or illogical service boundaries, including those that <br /> result in a duplication of effort or overlap of service. When possible, these efforts shall be <br /> pursued in cooperation with Springfield and Eugene." <br /> Necessity for Amendment of Metropolitan Plan Policies <br /> If a proposed new district is a park and recreation district, county service district, rural fire protection <br /> district or library district, which are among the districts discussed in this paper, it will require Lane <br /> Boundary Commission approval. A county road district or port district would require approval by the <br /> Lane County Board of Commissioners. To win approval in either case the proposal must be <br /> consistent with the acknowledged comprehensive plan. Since the current Metro Plan is not <br /> favorable to new special districts serving incorporated territory, Metro Plan amendments must be <br /> completed before the Boundary Commission or Board of Commissioners can be expected to act <br /> affirmatively on the proposal. <br /> At least Policies #19 and #20 will need to be need reviewed and would likely require amendment if <br /> a new special district were to be formed or an existing district modified to include a city's territory. <br /> To amend the Metro Plan, Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County elected officials must agree, <br /> following citizen involvement and public hearings. If the boundary of a proposed new special district <br /> goes beyond the Metro Plan jurisdictional boundary, the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan <br /> and the comprehensive plan of any affected nearby city would need to be consulted regarding <br /> additional goals or policies needing amendment to maintain land use consistency. That process can <br /> take one year or more, and is subject to approval by the Oregon Land Conservation and <br /> Development Commission (LCDC). <br /> STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR SEVERAL TYPES OF DISTRICTS <br /> This paper provides only a general overview of a few of the most relevant types of special districts. <br /> Many questions may not be answered here. Each proposal for use of a special district deserves <br /> careful financial and legal analysis, and extensive intergovernmental and community discussion. <br /> Because special district formation and annexations involve complex interactions among at least <br /> three chapters of the Oregon Revised Statutes (Chapters 198, 199, and a district's principal Act) as <br /> well as applicable administrative rules, it is advisable to seek legal advice from an attorney <br /> experienced in these issues. <br /> A brief description of the purpose and general powers of each of the most relevant type of special <br /> district follows. The district types fall into two general categories: single - purpose and multiple - <br /> purpose districts. <br /> Chapter 198 of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) deals with "Special Districts Generally." Over <br /> 30 different kinds of districts are addressed under this chapter (see Appendix A for a complete list). <br /> Special Districts Paper - Final 11- 8- 01.doc Page 8 of 41 <br /> City Council Agenda page 32 <br />