SPRINGFIELD – Springfield residents voted yes last week to approve an increase to the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department’s local option fire levy.
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. The increased rate reflects inflation and the rising cost of maintaining essential services.
Unofficial results of the ballot show that 6,297 people voted in favor of the levy, and 2,990 voted against it.
“We are grateful to Springfield voters for their continued support of fire and life safety services,” Elyse Ditzel, Springfield public information officer, said. “The renewal of the levy reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to public safety. While every election outcome is uncertain, we appreciate the trust voters have placed in our ability to provide timely, effective emergency response.”
According to Ditzel, there will be no changes to staffing or service levels between now and the new levy’s July 1, 2026, effective date. Funds from the renewed levy will be budgeted beginning in Fiscal Year 2026–27.
In Fiscal Year 2024, Springfield fire crews responded to an average of roughly 30 to 35 calls for service per day within Springfield. Current response times for fire and emergency medical calls are about 7 minutes and 19 seconds.
The levy increase helps maintain the current level of service by funding one of the City’s five fire engine crews. Without the levy, the department would have faced staffing reductions, which would have impacted coverage and response times across the community, said Ditzel.
During the Nov. 10 city council meeting, ESF Fire Chief Mike Caven expressed his gratitude to the community for the passing of the levy.
“Just a point of personal purpose before we start, to say our gratitude to the Springfield community for the passage of the fire levy this past Tuesday. It means a lot to fire department firefighters to have the community support,” Caven said.
Ditzel said the increased levy allows the department to maintain staffing, equipment, and operations for one of Springfield’s five fire engine crews. She had previously mentioned that the increased levy is designed to restore its original intent of fully funding the fifth engine crew without additional reliance on the City’s General Fund.
“This ensures continued 24/7 firefighter-paramedic response citywide and helps keep overall emergency response times stable. It also reduces pressure on the City’s General Fund, allowing for continued investment in other essential public services,” Ditzel said.
| YES | 6,297 | 67.80% |
| NO | 2,990 | 32.2% |
| TOTAL | 9,287 | 100% |
