I watched the Lane County Commissioners hearing on public access tv tonight.  It looks like the commissioners and budget committee members have  voted to approve the country road trade off with the city of Eugene.  In the deal Lane County will give the city of Eugene 4.5 million to use on city roads, in exchange the city of Eugene will give the Lane County 4.5 million of their general fund money.

The Commissioners have decided to cut the 4.5 million in half to fund five programs, using half the money this year and the other half to fund the same five programs next year.  The five programs are:  the restoration of all the current jail beds (sorry I don't remember the number off the top of my head, 2 district attorney positions, the Buckley House which provides substance abuse treatment and detox, the Phoenix Program which represents 16 beds in the juvenile justice center is a nationally recognized treatment system, and I believe 50 youth day treatment beds (I think this might be Pathways).

Sorry I don't have all the facts, I'm sure you'll find them in the news tomorrow.  Just glad to see the Commissioners find a way to save part of public safety. I believe there is even talk of saving 5 deputies, by having them give out more traffic tickets.

What are your thoughts?  Anyone from the county able to fill in the pieces I'm missing?   Do you like the city/county swap?

Commissioner Fleenor gave a passionate speech suggesting that even though they would be depleting the road fund, we must put people before roads.  We can drive on gravel roads, but we cannot cut public service any further.