Eugene council adopts 2025–27 biennial budget, approves supplemental budget and several land-use and urban renewal measures

EUGENE, Ore. — The Eugene City Council on June 23 adopted the city’s 2025–27 biennial budget, approved a fourth supplemental budget covering the 2023–25 biennium and took multiple associated budget and tax actions. The council also approved two right-of-way vacation ordinances and the Urban Renewal Agency’s 2025–27 budget.

Council took several formal votes after public hearings and brief presentations from staff. Motions that passed included election to receive state revenue sharing funds, certification that required municipal services are provided, levying the annual property tax, adoption of the biennial budget and appropriations, adoption of the fourth supplemental budget for 2023–25, and adoption of the Urban Renewal Agency budget and tax certification. The votes were taken individually; tallies are listed below.

Why it matters: The biennial budget and supplemental appropriations set legal spending authority for the city and trigger the property tax levy and other statutory filings the city must make with the state. Several public commenters urged additional funding for libraries, alternative crisis response (Cahoots-style services) and long‑term budget stabilization work.

Key facts and outcomes - Fourth supplemental budget (City of Eugene 2023–25): adopted after a public hearing. Motion passed by council with a recorded vote of 8–0. - 2025–27 biennial budget adoption and related motions: the council adopted the biennial budget and made appropriations for 07/01/2025–06/30/2027. Motions associated with the biennial budget included: (a) electing to receive state revenue sharing funds under Oregon Revised Statutes section 221.77 (motion passed 8–2–0), (b) certifying the city provides required municipal services under ORS 221.76 (motion passed 8–0), (c) determining and levying the annual property tax for FY 2025–26 (motion passed 8–0), and (d) adopting the budget and making appropriations for the biennium (motion passed 8–0). - Consent calendar: items including approval of minutes, tentative agenda and an appointment to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission were approved; the motion passed with a recorded vote of 8–2–0. - Urban Renewal Agency: the Agency adopted its 2025–27 biennial budget and certified the amount of tax to be certified for FY 2025–26; motions passed 8–0. - Right-of-way vacations: Council adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of First Avenue West (Pioneer Resources Business Park) — motion passed 8–0 — and adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of Moss Alley south of 17th Avenue (near University of Oregon) — motion passed 7–1 (council recorded correction during the vote sequence).

Public hearing and comment Council opened public hearings on the supplemental budget and the 2025–27 biennial budget and heard dozens of public comments. Speakers urged the council to prioritize funding for the downtown library, community pools, alternative crisis response services (Cahoots-style), and long-term budget stabilization. Business leaders urged inclusion of business voices on a proposed stabilization task force; union representatives urged stable funding for fire and emergency services.

Votes at a glance (motions, tallies, notes) - Consent Calendar 1 (approve minutes, tentative agenda, appointment to MWMC): outcome approved; tally 8–2–0. (motion text: “I move to approve the items on consent calendar 1.”) - Resolution: adopt 2023–25 fourth supplemental budget and make appropriations for the biennium ending 06/30/2025: outcome approved; tally 8–0. - Resolution: elect to receive state revenue sharing funds (ORS 221.77): outcome approved; tally 8–2–0. - Resolution: certify that the City of Eugene provides required municipal services (ORS 221.76): outcome approved; tally 8–0. - Resolution: determine, levy and categorize annual property tax for FY 2025–26: outcome approved; tally 8–0. - Resolution: adopt 2025–27 biennial budget and make appropriations for 07/01/2025–06/30/2027: outcome approved; tally 8–0. - Urban Renewal Agency: declare amount of tax to be certified for FY 2025–26 and adopt Agency biennial budget and appropriations (07/01/2025–06/30/2027): outcome approved; tallies 8–0 for both motions. - Ordinance: vacate First Avenue West within Pioneer Resources Business Park: outcome approved; tally 8–0. - Ordinance: vacate portion of Moss Alley south of 17th Avenue (University area): outcome approved; corrected tally announced 7–1.

What the council said City staff framed the supplemental budget as recognizing new revenues (including grants) and one‑time allocations for strategic initiatives; the city manager noted one‑time general fund strategies such as reconciling opioid settlement items, ambulance transport fund support, hydrant funding and personnel adjustments from newly adopted labor contracts.

Next steps and implementation notes - The adopted biennial budget becomes the city’s legal spending plan for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27; the property tax levy will be certified and submitted in accordance with state timelines. - Urban Renewal Agency actions set the Agency’s appropriations for the same biennium.

Sources: Council staff presentations and public hearings, Eugene City Council meeting, 06/23/2025. Vote tallies and motion language recorded in the meeting transcript.