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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 24, 2006 Voters might decide on countywide library district By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Jackson County library officials may ask voters for as much as $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value — or $350 on a $250,000 home — to create an independent library district. "It will not be higher than that," Kathleen Davis, spokesperson for the Library Advisory Committee, told the Medford City Council Thursday. She and other representatives asked the council to support a library district that would not be dependent on funding from Jackson County. The group also has made its initial pitch to city councils in Shady Cove, Talent and Jacksonville. The county’s 15 branches, which include outreach to schools and to homebound seniors, are facing closure with the potential loss of federal timber funds. The library’s 2005-06 operating budget was $8 million, 94 percent of which came from Jackson County’s general fund. If $24 million in annual timber funds are not renewed in 2007, the county is considering supporting only core services such as the sheriff’s department and health and human services — not libraries. Advertisement Voters could be asked in November to approve a library district and a permanent property tax rate. Though the funds necessary to support a district have not been determined, library officials capped the amount at $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. Ronnie Budge, Jackson County Library Services director, said state law requires cities to adopt a resolution to be included in the district before the issue comes before voters. Several Medford City Council members asked for clarification on what they would be approving if they adopted the proposed resolution. "If a majority of the voters of Jackson County approve a library district, then Medford would be a part of that district," said Budge. City Manager Mike Dyal asked if other funding options could be pursued. Budge said a local option levy is another possibility, but such levies are for a limited period of time, such as three, four or five years. "We used to operate the library with serial levies," she said. "It was difficult to do longer-range planning." Budge said representatives would come back before the council in four to six weeks with a property tax rate. "Once we set an amount, that’s a permanent commitment to that amount," she said. All city resolutions to be included in the library district must be adopted by May 17 for a November election. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing on the district in June. Budge has said that all 15 library branches may have to close their doors in 2007 if the federal money is not renewed and another funding source is not found. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Voters might decide on countywide library district ">[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 Debt Consolidation Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Advertisement s Advertisement