Eugene Fire Service Fee

Let Voters Decide

On February 10th Eugene City Council passed a new, permanent fee that can be increased by the City Council by any amount without voter approval. We simply believe citizens should have the opportunity to vote on such a significant new fee that they will be responsible for paying.

On Thursday, March 13th 8,413 signatures were turned in to the City of Eugene Recorder to refer the newly passed Fire Service Fee to Eugene voters. This overwhelming response highlights the strong desire for public input on permanent fees for essential services. The Lane County Elections office is now reviewing signatures to determine if the referendum qualifies for the ballot. Sign up below to stay informed and engaged in the process.

Voters Against Forever Fees

We believe voters should have a voice in decisions that create permanent fees for core government services- especially when there are no built-in limits on future increases. Faced with a budget deficit, the City of Eugene needs to address the structural budget issues causing this gap. That will not be solved through a new fee that just postpones difficult conversations. We must create a sustainable financial plan that prioritizes core services while ensuring the city lives within its means.

City Council's Recent Decision

Understanding the Fire Service Fee

On February 10th the Eugene City Council passed the new Fire Service Fee, a measure aimed at raising new revenue to address an $11.5 million city budget gap.

This new “Fire Service Fee” will be applied to all properties in Eugene, based on square footage. The median single-family home will pay $10 per month, median commercial customer will pay $38 per month and larger properties will pay up to $1750 per month.

In the first year, the fee is intended to raise $10 million, but only $2 million will be used for new fire services. The other $8 million will be redistributed to fill an existing budget gap in the general fund and pay for other current services beyond just fire. With or without this fee, the city will still have to make budget cuts this year and in years to come as this does not fix the underlying budget issues.

The fee is permanent, regardless of the city’s financial situation, and it can be increased by any amount at any time without a vote of the public.

The council opted to pass this fee without a vote of the public. In response, a citizen led referendum process is underway to collect 5,817 signatures to refer the measure to the ballot—ensuring the public has a voice relative to putting this new, permanent fee in place.

Sign the Petition

On Thursday, March 13th 8,413 signatures were turned in to the City of Eugene Recorder to refer the newly passed Fire Service Fee to Eugene voters. The Lane County Elections office is now reviewing signatures to determine if the referendum qualifies for the ballot. Check back to this site or sign up below to stay informed on the next steps with this referendum process.

Voices of Concern

“This fee is a permanent addition to our city’s budget with no built-in limits on future increases. We believe the community deserves the right to vote on a long-term financial commitment like this.”

-Chris Elliott, Chief Petitioner

“We fully support funding critical services like fire and emergency response, but how we fund them matters. This petition ensures a transparent process where voters have a direct say in how new, permanent revenue streams are created.”

-Marvin Révoal, Chief Petitioner

“The city has an ongoing structural budget deficit that won’t be solved by adding new fees. Instead of this permanent band-aid, we should be working together on real, sustainable budget solutions that ensure financial health & stability for years to come.”

-Erik Parrish, Chief Petitioner

Get Involved

 If you have questions or wish to support this effort by donating or volunteering, please reach out to us. We are eager to connect with individuals who are passionate about ensuring transparency and voter involvement in city decisions.

Contact us at info@eugeneforeverfee.com or call us at (541) 484-1314. 

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