Springfield council refers five-year fire and life-safety levy to voters

The Springfield City Council on a 6-0 vote referred a five-year local option levy to city voters that would fund fire and life-safety services at a rate of $0.53 per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in fiscal year 2026–27.

Council heard a presentation from Nathan Bell, who told the council the levy rate was calculated to fully fund the cost of an additional fire engine crew — the original purpose of the levy. Bell estimated the levy would produce about $3,200,000 in the first year and “about $17,000,000 in total over the five years, maybe a little less.”

The council opened and closed a public hearing without public testimony before taking action. Councilor Doyle asked whether the measure was connected to ongoing discussions with Eugene about fire governance; staff and city counsel said the levy is separate from that governance conversation and would fund Springfield’s share of a fifth engine crew regardless of any future governance changes.

A councilor moved to adopt a resolution referring the ballot measure to voters; the council recorded votes as: Councilor Weber — yes; Councilor Moe — yes; Councilor Rodley — yes; Councilor Blackwell — yes; Councilor Doyle — yes; Councilor Stout — yes. The motion passed 6 yeses, 0 nos.

The resolution on the council table reflects the 53¢ per $1,000 assessed value rate and a five-year term. The staff presentation indicated the levy is intended to restore funding that had fallen short in prior renewals and to cover the full cost of the engine crew in question.