Lane Fire Authority warns of staff, service cuts if May levy fails

Lane Fire Authority officials say they have already trimmed front-line services and staff after voters rejected a local option levy on Nov. 4, 2025, and they warn that additional ambulance-hour reductions and administrative constraints could follow if the measure fails again in May 2026. The LFA board voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026 to place Measure 20-375 (2025) on the May ballot - the same proposal to increase the levy from $0.35 to $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value for five years beginning fiscal year 2026-2027.

The ballot language authorizes a $0.20 per $1,000 increase to fund general operations, specifically to hire two full-time firefighter/medics and establish living quarters in the district’s South Battalion response area. Public cost figures have conflicted: the official measure text shows a $0.20 increase per $1,000 of assessed value (which equals $60 per year on a $300,000 assessed value), while other published figures have put the annual cost for a $300,000 home much higher; that discrepancy remains unresolved and should be verified with county assessed-value calculations and LFA materials.

LFA covers roughly 282 square miles of rural central-western Lane County from 16 stations, three of which are career staffed and operate around the clock and are located approximately 20 minutes apart. Veneta Station 101, at 88050 Territorial Highway in Veneta, was the site of a board meeting and public notice after the November election. Assistant Chief Rose Douglass said the district cut one of its three ambulances after the November vote and that the Veneta “peak hours” ambulance, which "operated in Veneta Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.," was shut down. Registering further strain, Douglass said the district has "laid off or not filled six jobs" since the levy loss.

LFA leaders note the district relies on volunteers for engine responses, which drove the decision to pursue ambulance reductions before engine cuts. Officials have warned that the current levy is set to expire on June 30 and that administrators may have to pause approving employee time off after that date if the May ballot fails. Douglass has signaled the district would likely reduce hours for another ambulance if new levy revenue does not materialize.

Fire Chief Dale Borland, in a letter to the community, thanked voters for participating in the Nov. 4 election and pledged continued transparency: "On behalf of Lane Fire Authority, thank you to everyone who participated in the Nov. 4 election and engaged in the conversation about local fire and emergency services. While voters did not approve the local option levy, we appreciate the dialogue and remain committed to transparency, accountability and careful management of public resources as we move forward." Supporters summarized in voter materials put the public-safety stakes plainly: "If I need an ambulance, I don’t want a delay."

The board has opened budget discussions to the public and scheduled regular meetings to identify further cost reductions while maintaining emergency response. LFA officials encourage residents to review the district’s local option levy information page and to attend board meetings at Veneta Station 101 to follow staffing, coverage and fiscal projections as the May 2026 election approaches.