Darla Huxell spoke to the council about a proposed urban renewal district and the impacts such a district can have on special districts, particularly the local fire district. Huxell said she was not speaking on behalf of the fire board but urged councilors to contact special districts directly and to provide meaningful involvement early in the urban-renewal planning process.

Huxell cited Oregon Revised Statutes 457.085, which requires public involvement in development of an urban renewal plan, and House Bill 2174 (2019), which requires notification to and opportunity for response by affected special districts. She asked councilors to consider the fire district’s roughly $2 million annual budget and to plan for potential revenue freezes that could affect fire services.

Huxell also reminded councilors of recent city invoice totals and said that if an urban renewal plan would restrict taxing capacity for special districts, the council should consider mechanisms to mitigate the impacts, including options to make districts whole.

Councilors did not take immediate action on the remarks but the comment was placed on the record for council consideration as urban-renewal discussion continues.