11/22/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e libraries a proposal to restore library services. Rural non-City Lane County residents have been without library service since the county library levy failed in June, 1988. The Board of County Commissioners appointed a countywide task force to investigate possible ways to restore library services to members of the county. The task force has drafted a proposal that will provide service to county residents by contracting with the cities that currently have existing libraries and library districts. Public library services would be provided to county users without imposing a fee. The County would not reestablish a library, but would simply administer the contracts. Rather than operate its own library, the County would provide access to existing sources. Reimbursement will be provided for permitting county residents to make use of the library resources. Calculation for reimbursement will be based on actual library use; the approximated reimbursement for the Eugene Public library is $165,000 the first year. Because this service will need to be funded by a serial levy, taxes collected in the cities and districts would be rebated to them, over and above the contract payment. Eugene would receive a rebate of about $400,000 a year. A three-year levy is assumed, with the contract amount to be adjusted each year to reflect actual usage. Ms. Hildebrand said that this proposal has been discussed and accepted by the staffs of these libraries and cities and by the Lane Council of Librarians. Mr. Holmer inquired about the way in which county participation in the e library will be measured. Ms. Hildebrand responded that the Council of Librarians has suggested that participation be calculated based on the number of items checked out by county residents. Ms. Ehrman asked whether the money obtained from the rebate would be dedicated back to the library budget. Ms. Hildebrand replied that the use of these funds in the future would be dictated by the council and budget committee. The practical value of this proposal to the Eugene voter would be evident in increased library service and enhanced resources. Ms. Hildebrand said that library hours would be extended to include Tuesday evenings in the summer and Wednesday evenings year-round. Additionally, the money obtained from this rebate would be informally dedicated toward the book and materials budget, thus increasing existing resources. Mr. Bennett asked why the serial levy is calculated so that the rebate is substantially higher than the cost. Mr. Kaplan, consultant on the issue, said that the amount of money needed to be collected in rural areas in order to provide service to rural residents and the tax rate to collect that amount are figured first. Because it is a countywide service, the tax rate must be collected on a countywide basis. Approximately $295,000 will be collected from the rural areas and allocated among the seven existing public libraries to pay for county service. Money will be collected at the same tax rate in all seven cities and districts that have existing library services. This money will be rebated to those districts, less a small amount for interlibrary projects. Mr. Bennett said that he supports the reimbursement e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 22, 1989 Page 7