Residents press Lane County to adopt legacy local access roads; tourism industry urges preserving TLT reserves as commissioners weigh dipping into funds

Dozens of residents, business leaders and tourism stakeholders used the June 23 public comment period to press Lane County commissioners on two separate but politically linked topics: the status of long‑standing local access roads (LARs) and the proposed short‑term use of 2% transient lodging tax (TLT) reserves to help bridge public safety funding.

Local access roads: Multiple residents said they only recently learned their streets are designated “LARs” and therefore beyond routine county maintenance. Mary Leone told the board that LAR homeowners already pay transportation taxes via gas and vehicle registration and argued the county should “treat all roads the same,” calling for the board to direct Public Works to accept LARs into the county system. Other speakers — including Sydney, Polly Habliston, Laura Shoe, Linda Lovick and several River Road residents — said the LAR designation produces inequity, exposes homeowners to liability, and fails to reflect the historical use of those streets. Speakers repeatedly asked the board to adopt an ordinance or policy change to bring urban LARs into the county maintenance rotation and to do so “as is” with phased implementation if necessary.

Transient lodging tax and budget bridge: Several tourism and hospitality leaders urged the board not to repurpose TLT funds. Samara Phelps, president and CEO of Travel Lane County, asked commissioners to preserve the 2% dedicated in 2023 for tourism infrastructure, citing decades of shoulder‑season shortfalls and the need for an indoor, multi‑use facility to grow year‑round visitation. Tim Smith (Meritage Hotel Management), Joe Leverbach (Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce) and other business voices warned that redirecting TLT reserves would undermine trust and the economic strategy that supported the tax increase.

County staff — and a majority of commissioners during prior deliberations — have considered using a one‑time portion of the accumulated 2% TLT reserve as a bridge while pursuing a long‑term funding solution. Mr. Rokisky and budget manager Christine Moody explained the staff proposal would take roughly 50% of the accumulated reserve (about $6.5 million), with $4.8 million targeted to two years of rural patrol coverage and $1.7 million to courthouse planning/design; staff emphasized the proposal is explicitly a bridge and the board asked for a plan to replenish or replace ongoing funding for patrol.

Several commissioners voiced concern about tapping reserves and the risk to public trust or the county’s bond rating. Commissioner Furp proposed an alternative approach: temporarily reduce the general fund reserve to 18.5% and draw the balance from the road fund to avoid using the TLT reserve. Members discussed the Lane Manual reserve policy and whether the board could take action now and conform policy later. Because the issue is time‑sensitive but complex, the board recessed into an 11:00 executive session and agreed to continue deliberations later in the day or at a subsequent meeting rather than finish the decision during this session.

Votes at a glance from this meeting: Consent calendar approved (motion carried 5–0); Order 2606‑2301 (Supplemental Budget No. 4) adopted 5–0; Order 26062302 (temporary ASA assignment) approved 5–0; Order 26062312 (contract with St. Vincent de Paul Society) approved 4–0 with one recusal.

What’s next: Staff said it will bring the ASA permanent assignment back after additional hearings in late summer. The board deferred the final budget/reserves decision and asked staff to return with additional analysis and options.