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Council debates options, timelines and potential off-ramps for referendum on fire fee; staff to return with alternatives
Summary
The Eugene City Council spent its April 21 work session weighing how to respond to referendum petition 2025-1 — the public referral of a fire-fee ordinance — debating repeal, alternative fee structures, sunset lengths, accountability measures and election timing.
The Eugene City Council spent the bulk of its April 21 meeting in a work session discussing options related to referendum petition 2025-1, the public referral opposing a city ordinance commonly described in public discussion as a “fire fee.” Councilors debated whether to keep the existing ordinance in place, pursue an alternative ordinance, or repeal the measure and let voters decide.
City Manager opened the work session noting council had previously requested dedicated time to explore “what an alternative path might look like,” and offered that staff could return with timelines and draft options if the council provided direction.
Councilors debated three recurring themes: whether to treat any change as a short-term, time-limited (sunset) solution or as ongoing revenue; whether funds should be strictly dedicated to fire services or broader general-fund priorities; and how to balance simplicity of implementation with protections for low-income households and business impacts.
Councilor Kaczynski said, “I would be very uncomfortable with a repeal,” and…
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