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Residents vying for Eugene budget committee stress fiscal discipline, inclusion in short statements
Summary
Four applicants presented statements to the Eugene City Council on April 14 seeking appointment to the Budget Committee, emphasizing fiscal discipline, budgeting experience, and participation from diverse backgrounds. Council will appoint members on June 9, 2025.
Four candidates spoke to the Eugene City Council on April 14 as part of the annual boards-and-commissions interview session, each seeking appointment to the city’s Budget Committee and given three minutes to present their qualifications.
Aiden Bassett, an applicant and attorney, said the coming fiscal years will demand ‘‘sensible conservative allocation of taxpayer dollars’’ and urged that the committee help the council address anticipated shortfalls by being strategic about revenue and spending. Tom Boyette, who described roughly 35 years of budgeting experience including municipal budgets and school boards, emphasized fiscal discipline and called budgeting ‘‘policy making’’ that requires tough choices. Cindy Hanks, who said she worked 34 years in local government finance in Ashland, highlighted experience with government accounting, property tax limitations and audits. DJ Kelly Quatrocki described a background that includes oversight of a $2.5 million housing budget and nonprofit and small-business experience; Quatrocki said budgets show organizational priorities and argued for more transparent outreach to constituents.
The council moderator noted that appointments will not be made at this meeting and are scheduled for the June 9, 2025 council session. No votes or formal actions were taken on the applicants during the April 14 work session.
Why it matters: The Budget Committee reviews and makes recommendations on the city budget; applicants focused on the committee’s role in setting priorities as Eugene and other Oregon jurisdictions face projected shortfalls. Candidates offered differing professional perspectives—legal, municipal, nonprofit and small-business—while several stressed making budgets accessible to community members.
Additional details: Each candidate had three minutes for remarks; planning-commission candidates were told they would also be asked three predetermined questions after their statements. The council did not interview or vote on appointments at this session and provided no timetable beyond the June 9 appointment date.
