City Votes to Pursue May Measure for Schools

The Eugene City Council voted 8-0 tonight to continue discussion of a May ballot measure on an income tax for schools.

The council plans to discuss details of the measure on Feb. 14 and take a final vote. The 4J school board may vote on whether to support the additional city funding and how much on Feb. 9.

Several councilors appeared to indicate they may ultimately oppose referring a school funding measure to a May ballot vote, but a majority of four councilors and the Mayor spoke in favor of a May ballot measure.

Details remain undecided, but school supporters have discussed a graduated income tax that would raise at least $10 million for 4J and $4 million for Bethel schools per year. The income tax discussed would exempt lower income people and sunset in six years.