Eugene is a city defined by heart. From our small businesses and nonprofits to our schools, first responders and cultural institutions, this community has always come together to support what matters most. And for years, the Eugene Chamber has stood alongside the city in championing essential services – supporting levies for public safety, libraries and parks because we believe a vibrant, safe and equitable Eugene is worth fighting for.

But even in the most values-driven communities, we face tough decisions.

And right now, we are in one of those moments.

The city’s recently passed fire service fee – now the subject of a successful citizen-led referendum – has sparked debate. And understandably so. This fee is permanent, has no built-in cap and can be raised without a public vote. Most concerning, it doesn’t directly guarantee the improvement of fire services. In its first year, $8 million of the $10 million it raises will be used to backfill existing budget gaps – not enhance emergency response.

That has left many feeling misled and frustrated.

Let me be clear: This is not about opposing public safety funding. In fact, it’s the opposite. We must protect and invest in the critical services our community relies on. But we must do so in a way that builds long-term trust, invites community input and takes an honest look at the structural budget challenges we face.

Many Eugene residents – over 8,400 of them – signed a petition to bring this issue to a public vote. That’s not obstructionism. That’s civic engagement at its best. These are not just business owners; they’re families, educators, workers, retirees. They’re saying let us be part of the solution.

We understand the contention of a citizen-initiated public vote. That was never our first choice or best-case scenario. We still believe there is a better way. One that doesn’t start with a permanent new fee, but with transparency, discipline and bold leadership.

That’s why we’re urging City Council to repeal the current fire fervice fee ordinance and consider an alternative path.

We were encouraged Monday night to see many councilors open to moving away from some of the most problematic elements of the ordinance and we remain willing to work with city leaders to arrive at a better solution—one that protects important services, protects taxpayers and gets us closer to having a sustainable budget.

Now is the time to reset the conversation and begin with thoughtful deliberations on our community’s priorities and identify targeted budget reductions to better align our spending with our financial reality.

Let’s enlist community stakeholders, civic leaders, financial experts and local businesses to take a fresh look at where we can find efficiencies, realign resources, make necessary reductions and co-create a more sustainable, long-term plan.

Whatever that plan looks like, it must focus on efforts to proactively expand our current tax base to meet growing community needs, starting with housing and economic development.

Let’s also make sure to give the public a chance to vote on any new, permanent fees.

This isn’t about drawing lines—it’s about building bridges. And it won’t be easy. Real fiscal reform never is. But the truth is, if we don’t make hard choices now, we risk facing even harder ones later.

Leadership, at every level, requires more than good intentions. It requires courage. The courage to question the status quo. To listen to people who disagree with us. To prioritize what’s essential. To say no – for now – so we can say yes with confidence in the future.

This is not a moment to double down on what divides us. It’s a chance to model the kind of inclusive, pragmatic and principled decision-making that Eugene is known for. We believe in this community and in its ability to find a better way forward.

Brittany Quick-Warner is president and CEO of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. She’s most often found at a coffee shop with a community member, strategizing at a whiteboard or chasing her toddler – all of which feed her passion for solving problems and coming together to do hard things.