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The Bend City Council approved a resolution Wednesday to put a fuel tax to voters.
The 5 cent per gallon local tax would fund an $80 million backlog of necessary street maintenance and repairs.
The gas tax resolution was supported by five of seven city councilors. The measure will go before voters in a March 2016 special election.
Councillors discussed the option of including the measure on the ballot during the May primary, which would be less expensive for the city than a special election. But the councilors who support the measure said that street maintenance needs are urgent enough that the fuel tax warrants a special election.
If voters approve the measure, Bend would be among 22 Oregon cities that impose a gas tax.