Eugene Council Moves Two Charter Amendments to May Ballot

On November 19, 2025 the Eugene City Council voted to send two proposed charter amendments to voters in May 2026. The first amendment would eliminate the charter provision that currently requires heads of city departments to live within Eugene. The second would modernize the charter by removing several gendered terms from its language. Council members also indicated they will continue discussions about councilor stipends and whether the city should provide health insurance to councilors.

The proposed removal of the residency requirement is presented by supporters as a tool to broaden the candidate pool for senior municipal positions. City officials and advocates for regional collaboration have argued that lifting the residency mandate could make it possible for qualified candidates who live in neighboring jurisdictions to serve in Eugene leadership roles, for example a Springfield resident serving as the Eugene and Springfield fire chief. Eliminating the residency rule would align hiring eligibility with modern employment practices used by many local governments and intergovernmental agencies.

Policy implications reach beyond recruitment. Removing the residency constraint could affect competition for talent among municipal employers, alter commuting patterns for top managers, and prompt renewed attention to conflict of interest and accountability policies that tie leaders to the communities they serve. It could also facilitate formal partnerships with neighboring cities by making regional appointments more feasible. Conversely some residents may view the change as reducing local representation or availability of leaders for community meetings and emergency response oversight.

The language modernization amendment addresses gendered terms in the charter text. Updating statutory language can reduce ambiguity and reflect the city s intent to use inclusive terminology in foundational documents. Such changes typically have symbolic and practical effects on how institutions present themselves to residents and potential employees.

The council s parallel discussions about stipends and health insurance for councilors indicate a broader review of governance practices and the compensation structure for elected officials. Changes to compensation and benefits can influence who is able to serve, particularly for residents who may face financial barriers to holding public office. Those discussions are ongoing and likely to inform future council actions or ballot measures.

Both charter amendments will be decided by voters in May 2026. May elections historically draw lower turnout than November contests, a factor that can shape outcomes on local measures. The council s decision to place these items before voters sets the stage for public debate over the balance between local residency expectations, inclusive governance language, and the practicalities of municipal staffing and representation.