EUGENE, Ore. - Voters may face an $81.1 million question on the local ballot this fall, a 10-year property tax bond to fund street improvements in Eugene.

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.

"It's not the solution in and of itself, but it's an important part, and we think quite frankly, a good start," said Dave Hauser of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce , who is a member of a 13-person task force that is studying the streets issue.

Here's the map: 86 preservation projects are on the list, covering 150 miles of Eugene streets. The bonds would be paid back on your local property tax bill.

"The roads continue to deteriorate at a faster pace than we can keep up," said Eric Jones with Eugene Public Works spokesman,  "so it's important for the community to make some kind of decision about getting a handle on the problem."

Willamette Street is one of 86 projects on the tentative list, a segment 2 miles long from 29th to almost Spencers Crest.  A quick poll of homeowners got a mixed reaction.

"I don't think there's really anything wrong with this section of the street," said resident Orion Martin.

"Oh I think probably I would support it, yes," said resident Richard Coady.  

"I think it needs it very badly," said Rachel Figueroa, a recent transplant from Klamath Falls. "When we first moved here, we got a lifetime alignment so that we wouldn't have to change our alignment every month and be out of pocket."

If the bond is sent to the November ballot by Eugene City Councilors and is approved by voters, the city says the average cost to the taxpayer would be $107 per year.  That's $0.53 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The city council gets down to business at noon Wednesday.  The work session will be held at the McNutt Room at Eugene City Hall. 

Final decisions on the street bond are set for July 28.