As Election Day approaches, residents of Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Creswell will have the opportunity to vote on crucial measures aimed at updating fire levies for their local fire districts. These levies, which represent an additional tax on property owners, are essential for funding fire services and emergency response efforts, according to fire and city officials. Both South Lane County Fire and Rescue (SLCFR) and the City of Springfield are proposing significant increases to better meet rising operational demands.
Springfield and Eugene have a functionally merged fire department. The two cities operate as a single department operationally, but each has its own budgetary authority and responsibilities. Eugene-Springfield Fire (ESF) is a shared service between Springfield, with an estimated population of 60,569, and Eugene, with an estimated population of 177,000.
If the measure fails and the levy does not pass, the City will lose funding for one of five engine crews, according to Measure documentation. This could result in delayed emergency medical care, fewer available units for medical and fire emergencies, and reduced capacity during peak call volumes, according to the department.
The current levy, voted on in 2020, stands at 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and expires in June 2026. Ballot Measure #20-371 proposes a five-year levy of 53 cents per $1,000 assessed value beginning in July 2026 – an increase of 15 cents.
“When Springfield voters first renewed the Fire Levy in 2006, the City intentionally chose not to increase the rate, due to the economic challenges many residents were facing at that time,” said Elyse Ditzel, Springfield public information officer. At that time, the rate was 35 cents, and voter details indicate the measure passed with 70% of the votes.
“While that decision helped keep costs lower for taxpayers, it also meant that the levy covered a decreasing share of the cost of a fifth engine crew. The City’s General Fund made up the difference,” Ditzel said, adding that the City’s General Fund budget has tightened over time. Providing funding services is difficult because property tax revenue has risen at the same rate as inflation, due to statewide limitations.
Alan Stout, Springfield city councilor, said the City faces a structural deficit mainly because “costs for basic operations (wages, materials, contracts, etc.) have been rising faster than the 3% property tax growth cap. In other words, even though our revenues go up each year, they don’t keep pace with inflation or service demands.”
“The current proposal … is designed to restore its original intent: fully funding the fifth engine crew without additional reliance on the General Fund,” Ditzel said. “To determine the amount, the City prepared a five-year forecast using historical inflation data to estimate the cost of staffing and operations. The 15-cent increase reflects what is needed to fund those costs through the duration of the levy.”
The levy is based on assessed property value, not market value. A typical Springfield home with an estimated value of $189,000 would pay around $100 per year, according to the City’s website.
According to the Notice of Measure Election, the levy would maintain the current level of emergency medical, rescue, and fire response, including staffing and operating of all five of the City’s fire engine crews. Funds from the levy would support personnel, training, safety equipment, emergency dispatch, and other operational costs. The increased rate reflects inflation and the rising cost of maintaining these essential services.
The joint department provides an abundance of services, including fire protection and firefighting; fire prevention and public education; basic and advanced life support; ambulance transport; injury and illness prevention; special rescue services; hazardous materials response; fire code enforcement and inspection; and fire investigation.
“For me personally, ensuring stable and adequate funding for our fire department is critical. A sustainable fire levy helps us maintain consistent service and opens the door to a more constructive regional conversation about fire governance moving forward,” Stout said.
How, where, and when to vote
Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. is the deadline to vote. Voters are urged to return their ballots as early as possible to ensure they are received at Lane County Elections by 8 p.m.
To be counted, ballots must be received at Lane County Elections by:
Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in by Nov. 4, directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours (open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day).
“Vote by mail makes it easy and convenient to return your ballot,” said County Clerk Tommy Gong. “And the more voters who return their ballots early, the more complete our initial election night results will be.”
Voters must also remember to sign their ballot return envelopes before mailing or returning their completed ballot to Lane County Elections. The signature is a security measure used to verify identity. Signatures are compared to those in the voter registration record. A vote may only be counted if the signatures match.
If you forget to sign the envelope or your signature does not match, you will receive a notice from Lane County Elections advising you of the issue and how to fix or “cure” it. You have until the 21st day after the election to cure your signature issue and have your ballot counted.
Voters with questions can email [email protected] or call 541-682-4234.
A 24/7 ballot drop box
Regular mail Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 4 and received no later than Nov. 12 to be counted.
