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Project election dates to be discussed Improvements for Jackson County's libraries may go to voters next year before a third attempt at a bond issue for a new juvenile center. Acting County Administrator Sue Slack said Thursday she will recommend to the commissioners that a bond issue for library system improvements go to voters in the May 16, 2000, primary election. Another bond issue for the juvenile center would go on the ballot in the Nov. 7, 2000, general election. The commissioners said they want to meet with advocates for both projects before they discuss election dates. They are scheduled to meet with library advocates Tuesday morning. No meeting has been scheduled yet with juvenile center advocates. Oregon's so-called double-majority requirement for approval of tax increases would apply in the 2000 primary but not the general election. Bond issues for a new juvenile center in downtown Medford have failed twice, but Measure 15-2 failed Tuesday only because 50 percent of the county's registered voters did not participate. The $16.5 million bond issue won almost 60 percent of the ballots cast in Tuesday's election, compared with last year's $22.5 million bond issue, which failed by 1 percentage point to win a majority of the votes cast. "It demonstrated that we had a good package to put to the voters," Slack said. Slack said the proposed building, which would have 40 beds for detention of young offenders and 16 beds for youths who need a short separation from home, probably would not change. But she said its costs would have to be adjusted if the bond issue goes back to voters next year. The building is proposed on 10th Street next to the Justice Building. It would replace a 42-year-old building in Medford's South Gateway shopping area. The Jackson County Library Advisory Committee still is gathering information to determine the scope, cost and timing of a bond issue it will recommend to the commissioners. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA