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Council hears plan for consultant-led focus groups, survey and timeline for possible local fuel tax and street fee
Summary
Councilors discussed consultant-led focus groups and a telephone survey intended to inform a possible local fuel tax and a separate street maintenance utility charge; staff said a June/July decision point will determine whether a ballot measure moves to November.
Councilors on Feb. 26 discussed outreach and research the city has commissioned to test public support for street-funding options, including focus groups, a telephone survey and educational materials that consultants will tailor to what they hear.
Councilor Newton Azar asked about recruitment for paid focus groups and about receiving presentation materials in advance. Staff responded that focus groups are intentionally small, that consultants aim to recruit demographically representative participants (often likely voters), and that a larger telephone survey will follow focus-group work. The city manager (speaking for staff) said the consulting team previously worked on Portland's gas-tax outreach and will supply the methodology and results to the council.
Staff described a two-track funding effort: (1) a proposed local fuel tax (gas tax) under consideration for a future ballot and (2) a proposed street maintenance utility charge. Staff said consultants would develop outreach and educational materials based on what residents say in focus groups and surveys so staff can address misconceptions and tailor messaging.
The city manager described a timeline in which June and early July are a critical decision period; if the council directs staff to prepare a ballot title for a local fuel tax, that direction would need to be made in July to place a measure on the November ballot. Staff cautioned that some outreach must pause once an official ballot title and election period begin to stay within election rules. Deb Gallardi and city staff continue to develop options for the street-maintenance fee, including a range of possible structures from simple per-parcel charges to more complex, equity-weighted approaches that require more data and administration.
Staff said consultants will present their methodology to council and provide materials in advance as available; councilors asked that presentations be included in council packets when possible to allow more time for review.
No formal action was taken; staff requested guidance and will return with survey results, consultant reports and proposed ballot materials if the council wishes to proceed.
