Legislative Policies for the 2005 Legislative Session

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sanitary sewers, street repair, solid waste disposal, public safety records information systems, 4. CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND LANE COUNTY planning, affordable housing, business recruitment, human services, cable television, mainframe computer, geographic data systems, air quality regulation and transportation. The City of Springfield, with approximately 52,000 residents, is Lane County's second largest city and the eighth largest city in Oregon. Separated only by the Willamette 1. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON River, the City works cooperatively with and supports its sister city. The City of Eugene also supports our partners in county government. The University of Oregon and the City of Eugene are partners in many efforts. The UO is Lane County's largest employer, investing millions of dollars each year into our local 5. LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT economy. The City of Eugene will support the UO in its efforts to obtain stable, adequate t funding to support affordable and accessible public higher education for the citizens of The City of Eugene works in partnership with Lane Transit District (LTD) to support a Oregon. ~ complete transportation system, including meeting the transportation needs of people ' who cannot drive their own vehicles. The City is committed to achieving the regional The University of Oregon has served Oregonians for more than 120 years. It is a goal of reducing vehicle miles traveled in the Eugene-Springfield area by supporting a comprehensive teaching and research university that serves its students and the people of transit alternative to a single occupancy vehicle. Oregon, the nation and the world through the creation and transfer of knowledge in the liberal arts, the natural and social sciences and the professions. The UO is committed to l The City of Eugene supports LTD and its efforts to increase transit funding. The City transforming lives through knowledge. UO teaching and research affects people in all supports increased funding for transportation services to the elderly and disabled who can walks of life, and UO business internship programs have provided help to 702 Oregon not use a fixed route transit system. businesses in 59 cities throughout the state. 6. 4J AND BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICTS Enrollment at the UO was 16,725 full-time students in fall 1990, dipped in the early 1990's, and was back up to 17,843 in fall 2000. State funding support for the UO during The City has a policy of establishing partnerships with other jurisdictions to provide - - the same period went from $63.3 million to $49.3 million, a cut of 22 percent - 40 school-related services and other community youth services. The Council has percent factoring in inflation. Funding actually dropped below $45 million for two years, specifically broadened its partnership with local school districts in response to the decline making the negative impact more severe, As a consequence, tuition has increased and of state school funding and the constraints on school revenue as a result from Measures 5 access has been restricted for many Oregon citizens. and 50. In November 2002, voters in the City of Eugene approved a four year local option levy that would provide $24.5 million to District 4J and $4.6 million to Bethel for 2. EUGENE WATER & ELECTRIC BOARD such services as music, physical education, school nurses, counselors and librarians, and student activities and athletics. The City's partner in providing municipal services is the Eugene Water & Electric Board ' (EWEB), which historically provides electric, water and steam services to residents and Strong schools are necessary for a strong community. The City strongly supports actions businesses in Eugene. EWEB recently received authorization to provide to address critical school funding needs. telecommunications services as the result of an amendment to the City Charter approved by Eugene voters in May 2000. Providing safe drinking water and reliable electric and steam services at low cost to customers has been the trademark of the utility and remains a high priority of the City and EWEB. 3. LEAGUE OF OREGON CITIES The City of Eugene is a member of the League of Oregon Cities. City staff works cooperatively with League staff during the legislative session. The City is generally supportive of the Oregon Municipal Policy and the League's legislative policies and positions. City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 5 City of Eugene Legislative Policies, 2005 Session 6