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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 19, 2006 County library tax bid seen as difficult By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A proposed property tax hike to pay for Jackson County’s library system has created a predicament for some cities. "It feels like blackmail," said Shady Cove Mayor Dick Bailey. "This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever faced." City councils in Jackson County must decide by May 17 whether they want their residents to vote on a proposed tax hike of $1.18 for every $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would amount to $236 annually on a $200,000 house. If a city council opts out, its residents might not get any funding to keep its library open if voters in the rest of the county approve the special district. But if the council lets its residents vote on the issue and they ultimately reject it, they might still have to pay for it if voters in the rest of Jackson County approve it. Advertisement Bailey said this compares to the 2000 election when voters in Shady Cove rejected the library system’s $38.9 million bond measure, which was approved by the rest of the county. The money is paying to remodel or replace most of the 15 libraries in the county, including one in Shady Cove that is scheduled to be built this year. The library system needs to raise money to replace operational revenues that could be cut by Jackson County, which is facing the potential loss of $24 million in federal timber subsidies. Ronnie Budge, county library director, said city councils she has met with have asked for additional information about the proposed library district. "Some of them noted that they thought it would be a hard sell," she said. Library officials will spend the next two months gathering information requested by cities and meeting with city officials. The property tax would finance an annual budget of $13.35 million for the library system and create a special district that would operate independently of the county. With a current annual budget of $8.6 million, the library system has limited hours each week. The 15 libraries are open a combined 447 hours a week; that would increase to 668 under the proposed budget. The downtown Medford Central Library would increase its weekly hours from 46 to 68. The library system has reduced staff by 10 percent to the equivalent of 85 full-time employees. While Bailey agrees that the library would be used by many local citizens, he also questioned their importance locally. "In this day of computers, you can get anything you want through a computer," he said, although noting many residents still don’t have access. Computers are available for the public’s use at libraries. Budge, responding to Bailey’s assertion that libraries might not be as necessary now, pointed out that book readership so far this year is up 6 percent over last year. Jacksonville Mayor Jim Lewis said his community has supported the local library, raising money to keep it open additional hours. However, the amount being asked for might be a little much for many property owners, said Lewis. "My personal view is that they’re going to have a hard time selling this to the voters of this county," Lewis said. With schools asking for money as well, Lewis said, "It’s going to be a very competitive season, and I don’t predict a whole lot of success for anybody, sadly. I’m particularly concerned about the schools." Eagle Point Mayor Leon Sherman said his council hasn’t reached consensus, but will hold a public hearing on this issue at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers. Reflecting his own opinion and not the council’s, Sherman said, "It’s up to the voters." But he said the opinion of his community could push him in a different direction. He said the new library in Eagle Point is one of the most popular libraries in the county. "I think libraries are extremely important," said Sherman. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail County library tax bid seen as difficult ">[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 Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement