By Cathy Ingalls
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:00 am
Many questions remained after a presentation by supporters of a countywide library district to the Albany City Council on Monday.
Councilors made no decision on whether to support formation of the district. They told Library Director Ed Gallagher to provide them with more information on how the city could address a tax shortfall to the general fund if the district was formed. The shortfall would occur if the city's overall tax rate was lowered to compensate for the added library district tax.
Gallagher did not know how long it would take to get that information.
District supporters have proposed a district tax rate of 68 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and suggested that the city lower its tax rate by a like amount.
City Finance Director Stewart Taylor said reducing the city's levy by 68 cents per thousand would cut property tax revenue to the city by $1.9 million if the district were in effect this year. The revenue supports the general fund, including police and fire and the parks departments.
Some councilors wondered, too, about the benefits of adding another layer of government administration and wanted to know why the city should fund the upkeep of a library that would be used by people from out of town.
Councilor Bessie Johnson asked whether Gallagher would still have a job. She also wanted to know how the main donor to the city's new library felt about the district.
Supporters told the council there were numerous benefits to forming a district: Residents in rural areas would have better access to library services. People in Albany would enjoy a 50 percent increase in the book and materials budget, see extended hours of operation, and know there was a dedicated funding source to help avoid cutbacks and closures during budget crunches.
District supporters are meeting with city councils throughout the county looking for resolutions of support. So far, Brownsville is the only city to decline.
District supporters want the district formation question to appear on the November general election ballot. Linn County Commissioners, however, have said they will not put the issue on the ballot. As a result, supporters need 11,000 voters' signatures to get the measure on the ballot.
S.H. gives support
SWEET HOME - The Sweet Home City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday night to support the proposed Linn County library district, which organizers hope to put on the November ballot. They need to collect a minimum of 11,000 signatures required by the county as the election date draws closer.
Sweet Home joins the list of cities that have already agreed to support the district if voters approve it: Lebanon, Millersburg, Scio, Halsey and Tangent.
New library taxes imposed by the district won't start until 2009 and will replace local library taxes that property owners already pay.