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Panel asks county for May 16 library vote Sale of bonds for Ashland library would hinge on election's outcome By PETER WONG The county's Library Advisory Committee asked county commissioners Monday to set a May 16 election for a proposed bond issue for library system improvements. Committee members and other advocates were scheduled to present their views on the timing of the bond to commissioners this morning. "The commissioners may have other commitments," Chairman Scott Rayburn of Medford said after the advisory committee voted unanimously Monday. "But they know it is our turn." The committee will review the proposed scope and size of a bond Dec. 13 before submitting its recommendation to commissioners. Members are studying information from the Portland architectural firm of Fletcher, Farr and Ayotte, which is assessing space needs and estimating costs for systemwide improvements. The countywide bond would cover improvements at 14 of 15 libraries, including Ashland, where city voters approved a separate $5.96 million bond for that branch last week. City officials say they will hold off on the sale of that bond until a vote on a countywide bond. Expansion of the White City library branch will be paid through the urban renewal district. After the failure of two bond issues for a new county juvenile center, library advocates say it's time for a library system bond to go forward to voters. "I think we have to go (in May) to keep our interest and organization together," said Jim Fety of Rogue River, an advisory committee member. The 1998 juvenile center bond failed narrowly to win a majority of the ballots cast, but last week's smaller bond won almost 60 percent of the ballots cast. It failed to muster the 50 percent participation rate that applies to tax increases proposed outside general elections. A library bond in the May 16 primary also would be subject to the so-called double-majority requirement. "But I think we can put on that kind of campaign," said Craig Morris of Medford, another advisory committee member. Acting County Administrator Sue Slack said last week she would recommend to commissioners that a library bond go on the May 16 primary ballot and a third juvenile center bond on the Nov. 7, 2000, general election ballot. Formal action by the commissioners will have to await details on the cost of the library bond and preparation of official summaries for the ballot. "It is my guess that the commissioners will not want to put the juvenile and library issues on the same ballot, because then they would be competing with each other," Rayburn said. "So it means we have to win in May." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA