Eugene council discusses options for Referendum Petition 2025‑1; many favor November vote, staff to return May 14

The Eugene City Council held an extended April 28 work session on options related to Referendum Petition 2025‑1, including the timeline for a possible public vote, alternative ordinance paths, and short‑term budget stabilization measures. No formal vote or ordinance was adopted; staff was directed to return with more information at a May 14 meeting.

City Manager Sarah (City Manager) reviewed the procedural deadlines and calendar options, telling council that if no action is taken the referendum would go to a November 4, 2025 ballot, but that an earlier vote would require an "emergency" election under Lane County rules. She described scheduling constraints: an August 26 special election is no longer available and the latest date to notify the county for an August 26 plan would have been July 10; an emergency election path could place a vote as early as late July if council acted immediately.

Sarah said any alternative ordinance path would require several parallel decisions: the fee’s target revenue, the methodology for assessing the fee (for example rate × square footage, water billing classes via EWEB, or a flat…