Eugene City Council reviews 2023-2025 supplemental budget amid public concerns

A public hearing on Eugene's 2023-2025 fourth supplemental budget sparked passionate discussions among residents at the City Council meeting on June 23, 2025. The budget, which recognizes new revenues and expenses not previously anticipated, aims to address critical funding needs, including support for the ambulance transport fund and the Cahoots program.

City Manager introduced the supplemental budget, highlighting its incorporation of new grant funding and one-time allocations for strategic initiatives. The budget includes $1.2 million for the ambulance transport fund, with $900,000 sourced from the general fund and $300,000 from the community safety payroll tax fund.

Residents voiced their concerns during the public hearing, with Ryder Hales, a Ward 1 resident, criticizing the prioritization of high-tech surveillance over essential services like Cahoots. Hales argued that funding for Cahoots, a vital public service, should not be sacrificed for police department expenditures. "The money to fund an independent flourishing Cahoots is a drop in the bucket for the city," he stated.

Jacob True echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the budget committee process could benefit from increased public input, especially regarding supplemental budgets. He emphasized the need for ongoing community engagement in budget discussions.

John Borofsky praised the community's engagement in the budgeting process, noting that the supplemental budget shines a light on ongoing issues, particularly the need for support in distressed funds. He expressed hope for unanimous approval of the budget.

Stefan Strack raised concerns about the complexity of the budget language, urging the council to communicate priorities more clearly to the public. He emphasized the importance of transparency in decision-making.

As the council moves forward with the supplemental budget, the discussions reflect a community eager for accountability and prioritization of essential services. The outcome of this budget will likely shape the city's approach to funding critical programs in the coming years.