Lane County’s five-member board of commissioners has a new chairman: Ryan Ceniga.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the board of commissioners picked Ceniga to succeed Commission Chair David Loveall, who’s seen his share of controversy. Loveall’s departure as chair isn’t unusual, though: Commissioners serve one-year terms as chair on a rotating basis, and Loveall will continue to serve on the board. 

In his final act as chair, the day before that Tuesday meeting, Loveall gave his State of the County address. He urged the county and residents to take responsibility for the challenges the community faces, including homelessness and housing. 

Loveall’s State of the County address was a lively event, complete with a prayer and admonishment from Chris Cirullo of Eugene for all residents — officials and the public alike — to repent of their sins. Loveall invited Cirullo, a regular speaker during public comment sessions before the commissioners, to pray at the event.

“Come and heal Lane County, one heart at a time,” Cirullo prayed.

On that front, we’re betting it’s a work in progress.

County health contract; no count of homeless this year; no building purchase

Lane County’s new behavioral health contract: County commissioners approved a new deal with the state to fund behavioral health services. It came after considerable negotiations between all 36 counties and state officials.

Homeless count skipped: Lane County will take a pass on an annual count of people experiencing homelessness.

No downtown purchase yet: Lane County is taking more time before deciding to purchase the former Wells Fargo building that Eugene School District 4J owns, education correspondent Lilly St. Angelo reports.

Bike lanes possible along Polk Street: Eugene city officials may add bike lanes along Polk Street between Second and 18th avenues, correspondent Michael Zhang reports. 

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

One step closer to a new boss in City Hall: The nationwide search for Eugene’s next city manager has narrowed to three names: Beaverton City Manager Jenny Haruyama, Lake Oswego City Manager Martha Bennett and Eugene interim City Manager Matt Rodrigues. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates. 

The trio will participate in in-person interviews with councilors and stakeholders this week. Members of the public can sit in on one round, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. (The meeting link is here, and the agenda is here.)

But don’t get too excited yet — though the council might make a decision in a private meeting as soon as Wednesday, the city won’t publicly announce the successful candidate until later this month.

Election 2026: The race for Eugene City Council’s Ward 5 seat is heating up. Mortgage specialist Jasmine Hatmaker has entered the race, making her the second challenger to incumbent Mike Clark (who happens to also work as a mortgage specialist!) For now, Ward 5 remains the only contested seat in the election.

State of the city: The city of Eugene’s 2026 State of the City today will feature remarks from Mayor Kaarin Knudson and City Council President Greg Evans, as well as music from Flamenco guitarist James Manuele, and a banjo medley by Henry Strid and Joe Suskind.

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

Sewer lines: Lane County Public Works Director Dan Hurley told Springfield city councilors last week it’s becoming “more and more cost-prohibitive” for rural communities and small cities in the county to sustain wastewater services. 

Creswell is facing a moratorium on new housing if it doesn’t build a new wastewater treatment plant or connect to the regional system in Eugene and Springfield. Lane County is proposing expanding wastewater services beyond the cities’ urban growth boundaries, which will require approval from both cities. 

Financial audit: The council also heard from an auditor who reviewed the city’s financial statements and “found no material errors.” 

Springfield Municipal Court: The city is considering making its municipal court a “court of record,” meaning a court that records and preserves proceedings, which will require new software and an additional staff member. Currently, appeals from Springfield Municipal Court must be litigated anew in Lane County Circuit Court. The possible change is being prompted by a new state law. 

Historic railroad depot needs upgrades: Next week, the City Council will discuss renovations needed at the historic Springfield Depot, which houses the Chamber of Commerce. The city’s budget this year set aside transient lodging tax funds for the maintenance. The city says a historic review land use application will ensure that repairs align with the historic character of the depot, which was built in 1891.

beyond lane county

Immigration crackdown in Oregon: The Oregon Capital Chronicle reported on federal agents shooting and wounding two people Thursday in Portland. It came amid national unrest after the death of a Minneapolis woman at the hands of an immigration agent. 

Meanwhile, Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner said his agency would respond to “significant acts of violence” involving federal immigration authorities. 

Transportation funding reversal: And Gov. Tina Kotek reversed course, calling for a repeal of her landmark transportation bill, which the Legislature passed and she signed. Since then, opponents amassed enough signatures to put it on the ballot. 

Public Meetings this week

Monday

  • Join the city of Eugene’s 2026 State of the City at 5:30 p.m. in person in the Hult Center or via Zoom. 
  • The Springfield City Council will meet for a work session at 5:45 p.m. to discuss maintenance needs at the historic Springfield Depot. 
  • The Springfield City Council will hold an executive session at 6 p.m. to review confidential records and evaluate a council-appointed employee. 
  • The Springfield Economic Development Agency will have a regular meeting to elect new board officers and review an incentive program for system development charges, among other items.

Tuesday

  • The Springfield Arts Commission will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m.
  • Lane County commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. and discuss hiring an architect and designer for the county’s planned stabilization center.
  • Listen in to the Eugene City Council’s interviews with city manager candidates from 1 to 5 p.m., in the council chambers or virtually.
  • The Eugene Planning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. to deliberate and possibly make recommendations on proposed Public Health Standards land use code amendments.


Wednesday

  • The Eugene City Council will meet at noon to discuss three different options for renewing the city’s library levy.
  • The Springfield Unity Board will meet at 4 p.m. for a work session to review the utility’s in-lieu-of-tax payments to the city for 2025, among other things. 
  • The Springfield Utility Board will meet at 6 p.m. for a regular meeting and will check in on the utility’s general manager recruitment, as well as other items. 
  • The Willamalane Park and Recreation District board of directors will meet at 6 p.m. to review strategic changes in aquatics and vote on whether to refer a tax levy increase to voters, among other matters.
  • Join a Eugene public hearing at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom over a proposed zone change for property at West 11th Avenue and Greenhill Road.

Thursday

  • Lane County commissioners will kick off budget planning at 8:30 a.m. for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

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Dann Miller is the executive editor of Lookout Eugene-Springfield, bringing decades of leadership experience in both traditional and digital newsrooms.