Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Homeless feeding questioned Disc golf course coming to Cave Junction park Human remains found in burning trailer Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries Calvin Schaefer Norma Mae Prilliman Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South rebounds with rout of Roseburg Ashland drops MWL boys match to Churchill Hay rallies Pirates past Henley Gadget play gives Grizz win over Comets GP dashes North’s hopes Varsity 541 College Sports Stanford cruises past Washington State High stakes for No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 UCLA Raider men win handily Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Pro Sports Gordon-led Royals beat Orioles 8-6 in ALCS Donovan hits post in US swan song Birdie binge puts Laird in front at Frys.com Giants-Cards: Here we go again in NLCS Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ranchers offer livestock exchange Lithia buys Clovis dealership Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... Medford airport has busiest September ever County hopes to spur renewable energy Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business Transportation Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Opinion Latest Election Letters, Oct.11 Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. Mangino: Trials, pleas and the burden of proof: A search for justice Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Editorials Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Measure 86 would allow a prudent investment Our View: Top-two primary would empower more voters Letters to the Editor Election Letters, Oct.11 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Guest Opinions Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Is Ashland taking over Jackson County elections? Lifestyle Latest stories Nibbling away at the Earth Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Name that wolf Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Food Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Community blog: Kicking it off, a game, a season, or a pint (How about all the above?) Apples and pears make great autumn duo Community blog: Cardamom makes proverbial pairing with pears New owners bring new philosophy at 2Hawk Home and Garden How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Harvest your frost-tender tomatoes for storage Fall is a good time to plant certain perennials Start now for a bowl of winter sunshine Health Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Dr. Murray Feingold: Take precautions to prevent home accidents Health Watch: Make TV time workout time Community blog: Do We Need Steps For Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Still stifling laughter 40 years after 'Young Frankenstein' New Arrivals Wedding New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Agave offers tasty tacos Call for musicians Works in progress A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Theater Randall Theatre presents 'Blithe Spirit' A tribute to a great lyricist 'Mrs. Mannerly' is a matter of manners There's no accounting for poor manners Friends of Jim Giancarlo remember Ashland theater icon Music Benefit for Nita Day at The Wild Goose Cafe in Ashland Call for musicians A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Rogue Valley Symphony season debut combines virtuosity, emotion Community Events Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Greater Medford Multicultural Fair Volunteers needed for Downtown Art + Sound Medford's Third Fridays Dining Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons 'Get Giddy' at Porters Jacksonville's Thai House is everything good Thai should be Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Library board checks out funding options Full tax rate, financial 'gift' from county considered as district gets jump-started Anewly formed library district board has debated whether to ask Jackson County commissioners to contribute $800,000 to help out the fledgling organization during its first year. By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am By DAMIAN MANN Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News Anewly formed library district board has debated whether to ask Jackson County commissioners to contribute $800,000 to help out the fledgling organization during its first year. "It would be a welcome gift," said Carol Doty, who sought the county contribution after she was sworn in as a library district board member Thursday morning. The three other board members present rejected the idea, saying the district should live up to its promise of becoming financially independent. They also viewed it as a possible stumbling block in ongoing negotiations with the county. "It's not a logical option at this point," said board member Maureen Swift. "We've been clearly told there is no appetite in county government for it." The library district was formed July 1 with the passage of Ballot Measure 15-122, designed to provide a permanent source of funding for all 15 branches after county budget woes threatened closures. Passed May 20, the measure allows the district to tax Jackson County property owners full tax rates up to 60 cents per $1,000 in assessed value each year. The board hopes to increase hours and assume the more than $500,000 that Ashland, Talent and other communities pay to supplement hours at their branches. The district will rely on Jackson County to fund libraries until it can start collecting property tax revenue in November, although the county expects to be reimbursed. Because of the delay, the district will need to fund 17 months of operations out of 12 months' worth of revenues even as it tries to increase hours. "We don't have a penny in our bank account," said Jill Turner, newly elected president of the board. "We don't even have a bank account." Doty hoped the county would continue to funnel $800,000 in state video lottery dollars to libraries, at least for one more year. Otherwise, Doty said, the library district might have to levy the full 60 cents per $1,000 in its first year to pay for all the start-up costs. "I thought this was a way the county and the district could get off on a good footing," Doty said. She said it could be a public relations issue for the library board to seek the maximum assessment during the first year. Library supporters had made promises to voters during the campaign that they wouldn't immediately tap into the full assessment. "I think it's going to be a problem for us," Doty said. Despite her fellow board members rejecting the idea, Doty said she would meet with county commissioners to see whether they would make the donation for the first year of the district's operation. County Administrator Danny Jordan told the library board that the county general fund budget would be $7 million short if the library district had not been formed. With the district footing the bill for libraries, the county will still have a $1 million shortfall, he said. If the county provided the district with $800,000, the county would be in a bigger financial hole, Jordan said. The county and the new district are working on an agreement that will allow the county to continue administrative functions since the district doesn't have any hired staff. The agreement will spell out how the county will be repaid for its services during this interim period. Jordan said the county is operating in "good faith" as it tries to help the district through its formation and will continue to offer administrative help despite having no agreement in place. "The county's intent is not to make money off the library district," he said. The county will continue to own the library buildings and all materials, including books, until 2020. Jordan said that if he is still county administrator in 2020, he would recommend to the board that the library buildings and other assets be turned over to the district rather than charging a lease for the buildings. On its first official day, the board also got a hefty dose of advice about adhering closely to public meeting laws. Jordan told the board he had concerns that members were exchanging emails, which could be construed as making decisions without properly notifying the public. Also, he told the board it needs to properly announce the time and place for interviews for candidates to select a lawyer that will represent them. "I don't want to see you guys get in trouble for facilitating a decision that should be made in public," Jordan said. The board, which will have training on public meetings laws in the future, was frequently correctedduring the meeting by Jordan as to procedures and other issues. The board members appeared to appreciate that they needed to educate themselves better about public meeting laws. "We're going to have to stop meeting with ourselves through email," Turner said to the other board members. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @reporterdm. By DAMIAN MANN MailTribune.com By DAMIAN MANN Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501