Springfield asks voters for more dedicated funding for fire services

Springfield is asking voters to increase the city’s fire levy to provide more dedicated resources for fire services.

Springfield leaders have been working for the last year to stabilize the city’s budget after years of cuts. Over the summer the city council was able to balance this year’s shortfall, but decided to pursue longer term solutions including dedicated fire funding.

Eugene Springfield Fire Chief Mike Caven says the levy was originally created to cover the cost of a fifth fire company. As costs have increased over the years, the city filled the gap with general fund dollars.

“This levy renewal seeks to restore the full cost of operating that fire station to the levy,” Caven said. “It's going from 38 cents per a thousand to 53 cents per a thousand.”

He said the 15 cent