Businesses started reopening May 15
On Thursday, Governor Brown announced Lane County was approved for Phase 1 reopening. Businesses such as bars and restaurants began opening the following day, while being required to put in place physical distancing and other precautions. Places like barbershops where there is more close contact between workers and clients, were also allowed to reopen. Lane County has 21 days from the beginning of Phase 1, until June 5, to prove they can enter Phase 2 reopening.
Eugene puts forward amended ‘21 budget proposal
Last week City Manager Pro Tem, Sarah Medary, put forward an amended proposal for the fiscal year 2021 City of Eugene Budget as well as presented it in front of the Budget Committee. This amended budget takes into account projections for loss in revenue due to COVID-19. The city projects the largest shortfall in revenue will come from property taxes. They also highlight losses of revenue from places such as library and recreation services.
The budget recommends $125,000 in cuts to each department, $725,000 in total. The city moves many things from ongoing costs to onetime costs for 2021 to gauge the impact of the recession. City Manager Medary expressed the possibility that there will be more changes made to the budget.
The budget committee will next meet Wednesday, May 20 at 5:30 PM and will be open to public comment.
Local Links
UO Librarians, represented by United Academics, are reporting that they could see a workforce cut of at least 25% of the workforce. With libraries already being understaffed, they are saying these cuts would be drastic. They put up a call to Save the UO Librarians.
Faculty are also demanding for a say in the re-opening of campus.
Bill Harbaugh, over at UO Matters, received a draft of UO’s reopening plans.
The week ahead
Thursday, 3 PM — Climate necessity defense for activists
Thursday, 6 PM — WildCAT general volunteer meeting