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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend April 27, 2006 Eagle Point vote over library tax supported By Jennifer L. Strange for the Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT — Ten Eagle Point residents encouraged their City Council to back the creation of a Jackson County Library tax district during a public hearing Tuesday night. If passed by the council, the resolution would make Eagle Point part of a proposed independent countywide library district funded entirely by a new property tax. If the city doesn't join the effort, Eagle Point residents would not be allowed to vote on whether to create the district, and the city's library could be forced to find funding of its own. Currently, the branch is one of 15 throughout Jackson County that are funded through the county's budget. "Whatever we can do to make sure this library continues and expands is our responsibility," said Mary Ann Olsen, a member of Eagle Point's Friends of the Library. Lauding the high quality of the library's departments, Olsen said many residents depend on it for information and education. "I strongly encourage participation in this district at this time." The resolution, drafted by the Jackson County Library Advisory Committee JCLAC, is in response to the upcoming expiration of federal subsidies intended to replace the loss of timber tax revenue from reduced harvesting on federal land. The subsidy represents more than a third of the county's non-dedicated revenue, and its loss will make funding everything, including libraries, difficult. To balance the looming shortfall, a permanent property tax dedicated to library operations would be levied on all Jackson county properties at a rate that has been quoted at $1.18 per $1,000 in assessed property value, and as high as $1.40 per $1,000 in assessed value. A City Council public hearing on the issue in Eagle Point will be held May 9. It will then be up to the council to determine if the city will be included in the proposed tax district. The library tax proposal is scheduled for the Nov. 7 ballot. Jennifer L. Strange is a freelance writer in Central Point. Contact her by e-mail: [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s