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Special District White Paper — Draft for Internal Review EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Many city services are funded primarily with property tax revenue, which flows to the city's general fund. Among important City of Eugene services relying in whole or in part on the general fund are library, recreation, parks and open space, police, fire, and emergency medical services. Local property taxes are now subject to constitutional, statutory political and practical constraints. These revenue constraints are increasingly forcing city councils to make choices among important city services, reducing or foregoing some services in order to preserve or implement others. The Eugene City Council recognizes these needs in its adopted goal of Fair, Stable and Adequate Financial Resources. The applicable action priority under this goal is for a Review of the City role in provision of regional services. The adopted work plan for this item includes an analysis of the potential of special districts as a service delivery option. This paper focuses on the use of one or more special districts as a strategy to provide adequate, stable and politically acceptable revenue for necessary urban -level services. Each type of special district is authorized by State statute to provide particular services or functions to accomplish its purpos- hits own independent revenue;sources Because d special district typically has a perma ent property tax rate 'for its purposes, a district may provide more stable and adequate funding of ate, icuMaf services thari can be provided within the£ity's permanent property tax rate limit. Six x of theirrlost-re(evnt type of districts -are examined. I 1 The Lane County Loc =! Government Boundary Commission is a State ligency created under • ORS Chapter 199 tha has- jurisdiction overlocal goverhmenti boundary changes for many special districts as we I as cities. ithe G6 dppo)nts,commission members. The Boundary Commission and Lan- - • • cil of Governme iits arrangement that provides operating services, including staffing, to the Commission. The Boundary Commission has jurisdiction over boundaries of park and recreation districts, county service districts, library districts and rural fire protection districts, among others, within Lane County (Appendix E lists all the types of districts that are subject to the Boundary Commission). However, the boundary commission does not have jurisdiction over port districts or county road districts; the county board has jurisdiction over these types of districts instead. At this time, several existing special districts now provide park and recreation, fire and wastewater services to various part of the Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area. Port and library districts also serve various areas within Lane County. If the special district alternative for provision of urban services were to be implemented, one or more of these existing districts might expand their services through annexation of territory, or a new district might be formed. Most special districts can serve contiguous or non - contiguous territory and may include both incorporated and unincorporated areas within their boundaries, and some may even extend countywide. Each type of district is granted particular authority by its principal Act to levy property taxes and otherwise raise revenue, own or lease facilities, hire employees and so forth. In a typical role, a special district generates revenue, employs staff, owns or leases facilities, and provides program services to residents of the district. Districts may contract with cities, counties, other existing districts, and private contractors to provide the services desired. It is particularly important to note that an independently elected board of directors usually governs a special district. Such an elected district board is answerable to the district's residents, Draft #5 Page 1 10/24/01