Eugene IGR committee unanimously approves letter of support for White Bird Clinic’s HRSA grant application

The City of Eugene Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted unanimously Oct. 1 to approve a draft letter of support for White Bird Clinic’s application to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program service‑area competition.

Ethan, the committee’s IGR manager, presented the draft letter and said it describes White Bird Clinic’s role in outreach to people experiencing homelessness and in coordinating primary medical care, dental services, mental‑health and substance‑use services in partnership with Lane County. He noted the letter was prepared for Mayor Knudson’s signature and aligns with existing council policy supporting coordinated local health responses.

Mayor Knudson said she was comfortable amplifying the values and actions cited in the letter. “I have always appreciated working with staff to develop our letters of support for organizations and work happening in this community,” she said.

Councilor Evans made the motion to approve the letter and later asked whether committee members were satisfied with the clinic’s fiscal administration given public reporting of operational challenges. “I don’t have a particular problem with supporting a letter going out…except that I’m having some real heartburn over the stability of White Bird and their ability to deliver on what they say they can deliver on,” Evans said. Other members said they lacked sufficient inside information to judge White Bird’s current finances and noted that competitive grant applications typically include the financial documentation evaluators require.

Ethan confirmed that the process for letters of support follows committee resolution guidance and said staff will route the approved draft for the mayor’s signature. The motion to approve was seconded; the committee chair called for voices and the vote passed unanimously.

Ending: The letter will be sent with the mayor’s signature as a committee‑approved letter of support. Committee members asked staff to note the difference between a letter of support and any direct funding request; several members requested that staff flag future requests for direct city funding for additional committee review before committing the city.