EUGENE, Ore. – Eugene’s city council voted on Wednesday to begin the process of raising stormwater fees by 18% in order to generate funding for the city’s parks and open space programs, according to city officials.
The city said that the fee increase would raise $4.7 million to cover costs for the city’s parks and open space programs over a six-year period with a sunset date of July 1, 2031. The funds raised by the fee would maintain services currently supported by the city’s general fund that are proposed for reduction, city officials said. The City of Eugene said this would allow some at-risk programs and services to be protected as the city continues to find long-term financial solutions…