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- ----- e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session Jacobs Room, Hult Center December 19, 1988 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Cynthia Wooten, Ruth Bascom, Robert Bennett, Debra Ehrman, Freeman Holmer, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten. The adjourned meeting of December 14, 1988, was called to order by His Honor, Mayor Brian B. Obie. Carol Hildebrand reported that cost increases anticipated in the Future of Our Library report have been adjusted for the 75,000 square feet of finished library space being proposed in the Pankow project. She noted that an additional custodial staff person was included in the projected operating costs. Included in operating costs were costs for building operations and general operations (for example, computer maintenance and postage). A $100,000 increase in the books and library materials budget was requested to e enable the library to provide greater service. Comparisons with west coast libraries serving similar populations indicated that the percentage of the budget being allocated to materials is below average. Responding to questions from Ms. Wooten, Ms. Hildebrand said the annual operating budget is approximately $1.9 million presently and will be approximately $2 million in FY90. She added that anticipated revenue from a one percent utility tax could provide approximately $200,000 more than required by the increased library costs. Mayor Obie recalled some discussion in the Library Finance Committee about whether to dedicate all utility tax revenue to library operations, but he said the committee had not reached a conclusion. Mayor Obie asked Ms. Hildebrand to comment on what would happen if the new library building was approved but there was no increase in the operating budget. She anticipated that in a new library of the type and size being proposed, anticipated increase in use would result in longer lines, fewer copies available on the shelves, and possibly reduced operating hours if existing staff could not be extended to meet increased demand. Ms. Wooten asked members of the Library Finance Committee to comment on their reasons for not proposing alternatives to the utility tax as sources of funding increased operating costs. Ms. Ehrman pointed out that a two percent restaurant tax would bring in approximately the same revenue as the proposed one percent utility tax. An entertainment tax (on sporting events, theaters, e MINUTES--City Council December 19, 1988 Page 1 Work Session