Lane County’s Proposed Budget Preserves Public Services Amid Reduction - 05/06/26

The proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget for Lane County is balanced in a way that preserves critical services and makes the most of the limited financial resources available.

“Sixty percent of Lane County’s budget has historically come from state or federal funding sources,” said Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky. “As those revenues continue to shrink, and we face our perpetual challenge of one of the lowest permanent property tax rates in Oregon, we are seeing that percentage decrease which puts at risk our ability to offer a wide array of high-quality services to our community. As we worked to put together this year’s proposed budget, we conducted a thorough and thoughtful process to identify cost reductions and revenue enhancements that balance the budget while maintaining core services.”

Lane County’s budget is made up of 34 distinct funds, many of which are restricted to specific services by law. Lane County’s General Fund, which is where general property taxes are held, is the most flexible fund and nearly 76 percent of it goes to fund public safety with the remainder supporting other public health, human services and general government services. The proposed budget is balanced but does include the reduction of 15 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions across several departments and funds. Nine of those positions are currently filled. There are no reductions in services or positions in the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, or Assessment & Taxation.

The proposed budget includes using $4.8 million in unallocated Transient Loding Tax reserves to fund the current level of rural Sheriff’s Office patrol for the next two years while the County works to identify a long-term funding solution for the Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices. Without this funding, rural residents, visitors and tourists would experience a drop in patrol services starting in July. Transient Loding Tax (TLT) is collected from people who rent hotel or motel rooms or vacation rentals in Lane County.  A recent legislative change now allows local governments to use up to half of TLT enacted since 2003 for non-tourism uses.

“We believe that allocating a portion of unallocated TLT to support underfunded public safety is prudent, given the options available to us,” said Mokrohisky. “We respect the concerns expressed by our tourism partners and I hope they can respect the balancing act that we are managing with regard to our public safety funding challenges in Lane County.”

Lane County has not reduced the amount of TLT to be used for tourism-related activities in the proposed budget. More than $11.4 million, including projected increased funding for Travel Lane County for tourism marketing, will be used to support tourism across Lane County. Tourism plays an important role in Lane County’s economy.

Read the County Administrator’s Budget Message.

Read the full proposed budget document.

The Budget Committee, which is comprised of five appointed residents and the five county commissioners, began its review of the proposed budget with a meeting and public hearing on May 5. A video recording of the proposed budget presentation and public hearing is available online.

The Budget Committee will meet multiple times during the next two weeks to receive information from County departments.

• Tuesday, May 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
• Thursday, May 14, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Budget Committee will have the opportunity to approve the proposed budget and any recommended changes on May 20 at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment will also be received at that meeting. Written public comment can be submitted to the Budget Committee at LCGABUPL@lanecountyor.gov.

The Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget will appear before the Board of County Commissioners for adoption in late June.

All meetings are broadcast live on Metro TV (Comcast Cable channel 21). Meetings can also be watched live online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/webcasts.

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2026 Primary Election Ballots In The Mail - 05/01/26

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the 2026 Primary Election.

Lane County’s 21 ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 pm on Election Day, May 19, 2026.  Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot.

“We are excited to announce that ballots for the Primary Election are in the mail,” said Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong. “And Lane County Elections is ready to assist voters who have questions or need assistance making sure their ballots are cast.”

Voters can track the status of their mail ballot by visiting www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their voted ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than May 19, 2026 and received no later than May 26, 2026 to be counted.
• A 24/7 ballot drop box.
• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in by May 19, 2026 directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours (open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day).

Ballot drop box locations can be found online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

As a reminder, Oregon is a closed primary state. All voters will have an opportunity to vote on issues and nonpartisan positions. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for their respective party’s candidates in a primary election.

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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Annual Test For Subscribers Of Lane County’s Local Emergency Alert System On Thursday, May 14 At Noon - 04/30/26

Lane County Emergency Management will test the subscriber-based local emergency alert system – Lane Alerts – on Thursday, May 14, at 12:00 p.m. The test will include emails, recorded voice calls and text messages depending upon each subscriber’s provided contact information.

“Our annual Lane Alerts test is an important part of making sure our community is ready and able to receive critical alerts in the event of an emergency,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Monica Larcom. “We hope every resident in Lane County chooses to sign up and participate in the Lane Alerts system. It’s the first tool responders request when there is an urgent need to share life-safety information with large numbers of community members. Testing Lane Alerts during National Wildfire Awareness Month helps us all keep wildfire preparedness in mind as we head into fire season.” 

Residents should go to www.LaneAlerts.org to create a free Lane Alerts account and select where and how they would like to receive emergency alerts.

Lane Alerts allows people to opt-in to receive notifications via phone call, text message and email based on locations they care about. At minimum, people signing up must provide their name and one method of contact. Residents can provide multiple addresses to receive notifications about emergency events that may affect their home, workplace, child’s school, etc. The types of emergencies that people may receive alerts about include evacuations, severe weather, flooding, police activity, and more.

Residents who already have a Lane Alerts account, but who haven’t logged in recently, will need to update their account to Everbridge Community the next time they log in. Everbridge is the company behind Lane Alerts. This new feature allows users who have multiple profiles to manage them all with one log-in. (An example of someone who might have multiple profiles is a person who lives in Linn County but works in Lane County. That person could have signed up to receive location-based emergency alerts at work and at home that would have originally required two separate accounts.) As part of the update, users will create a new Everbridge Community log-in and follow prompts to link existing accounts, including their Lane Alerts account. Everbridge has detailed instructions for converting to Everbridge Community available.

More about Lane Alerts:

When will Lane Alerts be used?
Lane Alerts will be used to notify people about imminent threats to their safety, as well as informational notifications that affect locations they choose to include in their profile.

Who should sign up for Lane Alerts?
Everyone living or working in Lane County should sign up for Lane Alerts. 

Should everyone in my household have their own Lane Alerts profile?
Yes. If multiple household members need to be notified, each person should have their own profile.

Will I still get emergency notifications if I don't sign up?
There are multiple types of emergency alerts. Some do not require residents to sign up, including landline phone calls or alerts that appear on television screens and radio broadcasts. Signing up for Lane Alerts will provide emergency responders with more and better ways to reach people with emergency information, including text messages.

Learn more about the different types of emergency alerts by watching a short video.
 

Lane Alerts partner agencies include Lane County Emergency Management, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Lane Communications Center.

The system is powered by the State of Oregon’s OR-Alert program and Everbridge. Learn more about OR-Alert at www.oralert.gov. 

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Free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup In Oakridge On Saturday, May 2 - 04/23/26

The free Household Hazardous Waste Roundup will collect up to 35 gallons of household hazardous waste per customer on Saturday, May 2, in Oakridge. Hazardous waste from businesses, schools, churches, government agencies or non-profits may be subject to disposal fees and those organizations must pre-register for the event.

When:  Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Where: Oakridge Fire Station (47592 Highway 58)

Who: All community members are welcome to participate in the roundup.

What to bring:

Up to 35 gallons of paint, household cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, car care products, arts and crafts products, pool chemicals, fluorescent tubes and other household hazardous waste. Check labels for words like solvent, flammable, corrosive, poison, caution, and danger.

Please don't bring:

Empty containers, drums, radioactive or infectious waste, asbestos, pressurized cylinders, or explosives. Any empty containers can be safely thrown in the trash. For information about disposal of radioactive waste, asbestos or explosives call 541-682-4120.

What about hazardous waste from businesses?

Businesses that generate small amounts of hazardous waste may pre-register to bring that waste to this event. Businesses must pay for disposal of the waste, but most can save money by using this program rather than hiring a contractor.

Electronics recycling

The Cottage Grove, Creswell, Florence, Marcola, Oakridge, Rattlesnake, Veneta and Vida transfer stations accept the following items for free during normal operating hours: televisions, computer monitors, CPUs, printers, phones and laptops.  Maximum seven items per day. No commercial or floor-standing copiers, parts or dismantled units.

The free household hazardous waste collection events are made possible by the fees collected when commercial garbage haulers or residents bring waste to Short Mountain Landfill or one of Lane County’s 15 transfer stations.

Please call 541-682-4120 for more information about hazardous waste disposal for households or businesses.

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Are You Ready To Vote, Lane County? - 04/15/26

Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections office would like to encourage voters to register to vote or update their voter registration now, to be election-ready for the May 19, 2026 Primary Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote or make changes to their party affiliation no later than April 28, 2026.

Oregon is a closed primary state. All voters will have an opportunity to vote on issues and nonpartisan positions. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for their respective party’s candidates in a primary election. It is important to confirm or update your party affiliation now, but no later than April 28 if you wish to vote in a party’s closed primary.

“We want all people who are eligible to vote ready to participate in the May Primary election,” said County Clerk Tommy Gong. “So, it’s really important to get registered by the April 28 deadline. For voters who are already registered it’s a good idea to confirm or update your party affiliation, as well. Primaries in Oregon are ‘closed’ and voters must be actively registered as members of a political party in order to vote on that party’s candidates in May.”

The voter registration deadline is April 28, 2026. If a voter registration form is hand delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10^th Ave., Eugene) on that day. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than April 28, 2026. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 28, 2026.

Local ballots will be mailed starting on May 1, 2026.  To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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Re-Imagine Earth Day Event Coming Back For Second Year Of Community Connection - 04/14/26

Now in its second year, a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to sustainability is proud to announce Re-Imagine Earth Day, an opportunity for the community to engage, learn, and take meaningful steps toward a healthier planet.

Join community members on Sunday, April 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E. 8th Ave., Eugene) for a unique celebration designed to empower individuals and communities to live more sustainably.

This dynamic indoor/outdoor event—sponsored in part by Bye Bye Mattress, a program of the Mattress Recycling Council (MRC), Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, Lane County Waste Management, and the City of Eugene Waste Prevention Program—will provide attendees with the chance to:

• Connect with organizations, nonprofits, agencies, and businesses promoting sustainable behaviors, programs, products, and services.
• Explore eco-friendly products and services from local vendors.
• Discover artisans who incorporate recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials into their work.
• Enjoy diverse performances from local groups coordinated by MEPAA, including Eugene Bhangra, Rock Goblins, Ian W. & Friends, Ballet Folklórico Colibrí, and CSS Client Musicians.
• Eat delicious food from local vendors, including Red Five Hot Dogs, B~Heavenly, and Mainland Malasadas.

Event Details

• When: Sunday, April 19, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
• Where: Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E. 8th Ave., Eugene)

For questions, please contact Mitra Gruwell, Community Engagement Coordinator at MECCA, at mitra@materials-exchange.org, or visit www.wastewiselane.org/earth.

About the Organizers:
This event is hosted by a coalition of sustainability-focused organizations, including the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA), BRING, City of Eugene Waste Prevention, and Waste Wise Lane County–a part of Lane County Waste Management.

ROAD CLOSURE: OLD MILL ROAD (Office Covered Bridge, Westfir) - 04/13/26

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Spring Showers Bring Busy Mowers—keeping Roadsides Clear Keeps Us All Moving - 04/09/26

It’s that time of year again: as spring rains fuel rapid roadside growth, Lane County’s mowing crews are preparing to tackle tall grass and brush along rural County-maintained roads. But before the blades start spinning, crews need a clear path—free of signs, fencing, and other obstacles in the public right-of-way.

“Mowing helps reduce wildfire risk and ensures drivers can see clearly around curves and intersections,” said Chad McBride, Lane County vegetation supervisor. “When signs, fencing, or landscaping show up in the right-of-way, it slows down our work, damages equipment, and creates avoidable safety hazards.”

County staff will be removing obstructions from road rights-of-way before mowing.

“Election season often brings a surge in illegally placed signs,” said McBride. “We’ll be conducting a cleanup sweep ahead of mowing operations to make sure signs don’t become entangled in our equipment.”

Here’s how you can help:

• Remove signs – Political signs, business signs, or any other type of sign don’t belong in the road right-of-way. Signs placed near rural roads should be on private property and behind any utility poles, sidewalks, or other public infrastructure. Removed signs will be stored at Lane County Public Works for 30 days before disposal.
• Clear rocks and objects – Rocks over 3 inches in diameter and fixed objects, such as decorative lights or posts, need to be cleared from the mowing area.
• Fix or remove old fencing – Fencing that has fallen into the right-of-way can become entangled in mowing equipment or block access completely.
• Trim or relocate plantings – Ornamental plants in the right-of-way will be mown low to keep vegetation in check.

By keeping roadsides clear, property owners can help reduce public costs, protect County equipment, and keep roads safer for everyone—including the crews doing the work.

In rural areas, the road right-of-way typically extends from the edge of the pavement to the property line (usually where fences are placed). In unincorporated parts of Eugene or Springfield, it’s the area between the sidewalk and the curb.

And a quick reminder for drivers: Crews may begin mowing as early as 5:00 a.m. Be on the lookout for them in the early morning hours. You may pass a mower on the left when it’s safe to do so, but always yield to oncoming traffic.

For more information about right-of-way maintenance, contact Lane County Public Works at 541-682-6900.

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April Is National Alcohol Awareness Month And Distracted Driving Awareness Month - 04/08/26

Impaired and distracted driving is contributing to an increase in fatal and serious injury crashes in Lane County. In the span of five years (2018 – 2022), 220 people were killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes on rural Lane County roads. The most common type of crash was roadway departure, which likely involves a distracted driver. The top contributing factor in all serious crashes was alcohol impairment.

To help keep our roads and communities safe, Lane County reminds everyone that April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Cell phone use and any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from safe driving are distracted driving behaviors,” said Becky Taylor, Lane County senior transportation planner. “Distracted driving endangers everyone on the road including other drivers and passengers, and people walking or biking.”

“Each year, more than 2,500 people in Oregon die from excessive drinking, raising questions about how alcohol became so embedded in everyday life and what steps we can take to protect our health,” said Luis Pimentel-Mendia, Lane County alcohol and drug prevention coordinator. “With one in five Oregon adults drinking excessively, this month offers an opportunity for people in Lane County to rethink their relationship with alcohol and consider ways to support those who want to drink less.”

Lane County recognizes these public health issues and prioritizes preventing fatal and serious injury crashes. With spring upon us, there are a number of occasions such as weddings, concerts, holiday gatherings, and sporting events that may make it easier to binge drink this season.

Rethink the Drink. Plan ahead when attending events where alcohol may be present. There are many ways people can still have fun while keeping our roads safe:

• If you intend to drink at an event, have a designated driver lined up or plan on taking a taxi or rideshare service.
• Set a limit and count your drinks.
• Swap every other drink with water or another alcohol-free beverage.
• Eat food while drinking.
• Connect with a friend or loved one for support and accountability.
• Avoid certain people or places that may trigger you to drink more than planned.

Eyes Forward. Safe driving requires focused attention. Adopting these phone-free driving habits is key to creating a safe driving environment for everyone on the road:

• Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.
• Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
• Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
• Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
• Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.

More resources are available at www.rethinkthedrink.com.

For more information on distracted driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DistractedDriving.

For more information about the Lane County Transportation Safety Action Plan, visit LaneCountyOR.gov/TowardZeroDeaths

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School Electronic Recycling Competition Wrapping Up On April 24 - 04/07/26

The 2026 Electronics Recycling Competition is ending soon, but there is still time for schools to join the effort and make a difference before April 24.

The competition—a joint effort between Lane County schools, NextStep Recycling, and Waste Wise Lane County, a part of Lane County Waste Management—officially started on January 6 and will conclude on April 24, during Earth Week.

Schools that recycle the most “e-waste” will win grants of up to $500 from Lane County Waste Management, a NextStep Reuse Store gift certificate, and a special recognition award.

While NextStep Recycling will pick up most electronics from schools via truck, anyone can also donate directly by bringing their electronics to the nonprofit’s donation center.

“Teachers, administrators, students, parents, or anyone wanting to support a school can drop off electronics at the NextStep Donation Center at any time during the competition,” said NextStep Recycling Executive Director Jessica Ahrenholtz. “When dropping off electronics, let NextStep staff know the name of the school you wish to support. This ensures the school receives proper weight credit, which increases its chances of winning prizes and recognition. Every contribution counts!”

Eligible e-waste includes microwaves, TVs, printers, cords, cables, cell phones, computers, computer accessories (monitors, keyboards, mice, computer speakers, etc., whether in working condition or not), tablets, old or broken game consoles, remotes, and AV equipment (i.e., stereos, speakers, DVD players, etc.). But no plastic, non-electronic items (i.e., toys, vacuums, etc.).

During the 2025 competition, a record 48 schools collected 41,491 lbs. of e-waste. School totals for 2026 will be available by late May.

Learn more at wastewiselane.org/ERC.

About Waste Wise Lane County

Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. Learn more at lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.

About NextStep Recycling

NextStep Recycling offers education, job training, and placement programs for youth graduating foster care, adults with disabilities, seniors, families leaving domestically violent relationships, migrant worker family members, and underfunded schools and nonprofits. Its mission is to provide technology and training to children and adults with barriers to employment and education while protecting the environment and community from hazardous waste. The NextStep Donation Center is located at  245 Jackson Street, Eugene. Learn more at nextsteprecycling.org.