Yes, it’s election season. That’s not all: It’s budget season in the government world, as local agencies must have a spending plan in place before the fiscal year starts July 1. 

For Lane County, the work is moving quickly. The county released a 448-page budget proposal last week. Here’s our first look at what the county’s budget proposal looks like. 

In all areas, the county’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget is $1.2 billion, which is a 1.7% decrease from the current fiscal year. The proposed general fund budget is $176.2 million, a 9% decrease from the current fiscal year. 

There’s good news in the short term: Only 15 full-time positions would be eliminated in the proposed budget. 

While layoffs are relatively slim, the county’s budget is stretched. For example, on any shift at the sheriff’s office, three deputies and a sergeant are on patrol duty to respond to 911 calls throughout unincorporated Lane County.

The county also is likely to use a share of transient lodging taxes — usually allocated for tourism projects — for public safety. The move could buy the county more time as it gauges community sentiment about a possible payroll tax or tax district proposal, which could come as early as 2027. 

The county faces unknowns, as it looks for a way to boost revenues — including by asking Sanipac, a waste hauler, to drop off garbage at the county’s landfill.

You can read the full budget document on the county’s website.

The county’s budget committee, which includes all five commissioners, will have a budget kickoff meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The committee will have more meetings in May and commissioners will vote on the final budget in June. 

Covered bridges, affordable housing and, of course, elections 

Here’s a look at what else we have been working on: 

Covered bridges: County commissioners are fast-tracking contracting work to repair two historic covered bridges before they collapse. 

Affordable housing: Kiddos and housing are expensive. This Homes for Good affordable housing development in Eugene that we visited tackles both, with an early childhood learning center alongside 81 housing units. 

And, of course, election stories: We have a look at the Republican primary race for Oregon’s State House District 9 along the coast, the Democratic primary race in House District 13 in north Eugene, the Republican primary for Senate District 6 in eastern Lane County and the Siuslaw School District levy proposal. 

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

Fencing at the federal building: There’s now temporary security fencing at the Eugene Federal Building. Eugene police didn’t have a cost estimate for the extra presence of officers at the site Wednesday during a protest. Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson also weighed in on the “imposition” of the fencing. 

Ward 6 race: We also have a look at the Eugene City Council’s Ward 6 race between incumbent councilor Greg Evans and Bethel neighborhood leader and chess statistician Tai Pruce-Zimmerman. No word yet on whether the winning candidate will declare “checkmate” when results are in.

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

2027 budget: The Springfield Budget Committee will begin reviewing the city’s proposed 2027 budget this evening during a public meeting at the Justice Center, which includes time for comment from community members. The proposed budget would reduce library programming and hours.

Willamalane levy: The director of Springfield’s park and recreation district says funds from a proposed local option levy on the May 19 primary ballot would help pay for Willamalane’s current operations at a time when rising expenses are outpacing the district’s revenue growth. 

City Council: Springfield City Council has a new interim councilor: Jill Cuadros will represent Ward 4 through 2026. Voters will elect a councilor in November to complete a term that ends in 2028. Also last week, the council discussed increases in city fees based on inflation and rising labor costs. 

beyond lane county

GOP gubernatorial race: The Oregon Capital Chronicle has an analysis of the Republican candidates running for governor in the May 19 primaries.

Transportation planning: Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation planning workgroup met for the first time to start working on a new proposal for the 2027 session, the Capital Chronicle reported. 

School attendance: The Oregon Journalism Project unrolled a school attendance tracker so you can see how your school is doing. 

Public Meetings this week

Monday

  • The Springfield Budget Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center to begin reviewing the city’s proposed 2027 budget. The meeting includes a public comment period. 

Tuesday

  • Lane County commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday and discuss construction bidding for the Lane Stabilization Center, a housing ordinance and go into executive session to discuss ongoing or pending litigation.
  • The Springfield Budget Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center to review the economic development agency and city proposed budgets. 
  • The Springfield Library Advisory Board will meet at 5:30 p.m.
  • Lane County’s budget committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday for the budget kickoff meeting. For details about how to comment and participate, go here for more information.
  • The Springfield Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss proposed changes to the Springfield Development Code.

Wednesday

  • The Springfield Budget Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center to deliberate on and approve the proposed city budget.
  • The Lane Community College Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. in the LCC board room. Agenda items include applicants for an open position on LCC’s Budget Committee and a report from an ad hoc board committee on public comment.

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Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.

Grace Chinowsky graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in journalism. She served as editor-in-chief of the university’s independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, and interned at CNN and MSNBC. Grace covers Eugene’s city government and the University of Oregon.