"Eugene city budget writers Wednesday night committed $1 million to provide more shelter for homeless people and $500,000..."

Come on, RG. The budget committee cannot even order a pizza using city funds, much less "commit" $1.5 million. The function of the budget committee is to satisfy the statutory requirement for one. 

The last paragraph is correct: "the budget proposal forwarded by the committee is only a recommendation." That recommendation carries no more authority than one submitted by you or me.