Rising costs and sagging tax revenues amidst a soft economy: Eugene and Springfield officials say their cities will have to take a serious look at higher fees for you, the taxpayer.

Eugene street repair crews are set for another busy season repairing pot-holed streets like West 18th Avenue. There are 24 projects on the list, about $16 million worth of work.

Driving in Eugene, slowly but surely, is becoming a smoother proposition. Thanks to an infusion of voter-approved bond money, federal stimulus dollars and lower labor costs, 80 miles of Eugene streets have been fixed or resurfaced this year.

The text of Mayor Kitty Piercy's State of the City speech Jan. 7, 2009, at the Hult Center.

While state ODOT projects are full speed ahead, it's a different story at the City of Eugene, where the city faces millions in delayed maintenance on streets. The difference: the state borrowed money, the city uses gas taxes only.

Councilors want a second, smaller bond proposal for consideration July 28 alongside the $81 million plan already on the table. | CITY PLAN | If either bond is OK'd by council, voters would weigh in on Election Day. | BACKGROUND

Councilors want a smaller bond proposal for consideration July 28 alongside the $81 million plan already on the table. If either bond is OK'd by council, voters weigh in thumbs up, thumbs down this November. | BACKGROUND

The Eugene City Council meets Wednesday to discuss the proposed bond measure that would address some of the city's estimated $173 million in street repair backlog.

The city budget committee hopes to boost street repair funds. City councilors are also set to meet early next month to work on a proposed $81 million bond issue for streets to go to Eugene voters in November.

The City of Eugene plans to unveil a balanced $457 million budget proposal April 30 in the Bascom-Tykeson Room at the Eugene Public Library beginning at 7:30 p.m. Read it and tell us what you think.