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County agrees on library vote Election date will follow bond details By PETER WONG Jackson County commissioners agree that library advocates will have their chance to campaign for a countywide bond issue in the May 16 primary election. The commissioners took no official vote Tuesday on the timing of the election. They await recommendations from the county's Library Advisory Committee about the scope and amount of the bond issue. "But though we did not vote, we told you what each of us believes," Commissioner Sue Kupillas said at the end of an hour-long discussion with library advocates. "I think we all are committed to this project going forward. The only question has been the date.'' The commissioners plan formal action in January to set the date, after they conduct a public hearing to consider a bond issue and official summaries. Commissioner Jack Walker said he was impressed by the groundwork that advocates have laid so far for a countywide bond for improvements at 14 of the 15 libraries. But he said he remained concerned about its price tag. "You are going to have to answer for every dollar you ask for," he said. No price tag is available yet. Library Director Ronnie Budge, her staff and consulting architects are preparing information for advisory committee members to review Dec. 13. Committee Chairman Scott Rayburn of Medford said members and advocates are aware of the concern about the price tag. But he said they also have heard public comments urging the county to propose enough to do the job right. "We want to give people in all of our communities a library that will last for 25 years," he said. "If we were asking for a library in one or two communities, it would be a tough sell. But everybody in Jackson County has a stake in the outcome." The proposed countywide bond would cover improvements and expansions for 14 libraries, including Ashland, where city voters approved a separate bond of $5.96 million for that branch last week. City officials say they will await a vote on a countywide bond before they sell the city bond. The White City library would be paid for through the urban renewal district. If voters approve a countywide bond, libraries would be built in stages from 2001 through 2004. The proposed library bond issue in the May 16 primary is subject to Oregon's so-called double-majority requirement for approval of tax increases. Half the voters must participate and a majority of ballots cast must be yes votes. Library advocates asked the commissioners about their intentions in the aftermath of the two-time failure of a bond issue for a new juvenile center in downtown Medford. A second try last week for a smaller bond mustered support from almost 60 percent of the votes cast, but only 40 percent of the county's registered voters cast ballots. The commissioners plan a meeting with juvenile center advocates Nov. 22. They are likely to hold off on a third try for the juvenile center until the general election Nov. 7, 2000, when the 50 percent turnout requirement does not apply. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA