HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2D: Resolution Placing Library Local Option Levy on Ballot
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Adoption of Resolution 4868 Calling a City Election on November 7, 2006, for the
Purpose of Referring to the Legal Electors of the City of Eugene a Measure Authorizing a
Four-Year Local Option Levy for the Funding of Library Operations
Meeting Date: May 8, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 2D
Department: Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Staff Contact: Connie Bennett
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5363
ISSUE STATEMENT
The council is asked to approve a resolution placing the renewal of the Library Local Option Levy on
the November ballot.
BACKGROUND
On July 29, 1998, the council voted to place the Library Local Option Levy on the November 1998
ballot. The levy was for $2,190,000 per year ($0.28 per $1000 of assessed value or $39 per average
taxpayer per year) for four years. Voters approved the levy by a 64% vote on November 3, 1998. The
levy expired on June 30, 2003.
On February 22, 2002, the council voted to place renewal of the Library Local Option Levy on the May
21, 2002 ballot. The levy renewal was for $19.6 million over four years, or $4.9 million per year ($0.50
per $1000 of assessed value for a typical taxpayer). The measure was approved by 56% of voters
participating in the May election. The levy will expire on June 30, 2007.
On November 16, 2005, the council held a work session on sequencing of financial measures to be
presented to the voters. The council approved a tentative election schedule that included presenting a
Library Local Option Levy renewal to the voters in November 2006.
In work session on April 12, 2006, the council directed the City Manager to prepare a measure for the
November 7, 2006, general election ballot to fund library services with a tax rate of $0.41 per $1000 of
assessed value, and bring the proposed ballot measure to the council for consideration on the Consent
Calendar for May 8.
Financial and/or Resource Considerations
Library services are funded both in the General Fund and the Library Local Option Levy Fund. In
FY06, the General Fund portion of the library budget is $4.5 million, or 46% of the total, and the Local
Option Levy portion is $5.3 million, or 53%.
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The current Library Local Option Levy, which expires June 30, 2007, includes a range of services.
Under the proposed renewal of the Library Local Option Levy, all of these services would continue and
no new services would be added.
The Library Advisory Board, a Departmental Advisory Committee, was formed in January 2005 and
meets monthly to provide citizen advice to staff. Agendas have included discussion of the levy’s role
within the Library’s budget, levy sequencing, whether to recommend continuation of current services or
enhancements (such as the addition of one or more branches) as part of the levy renewal, and the effect
of Measure 5 compression on the levy. The board has unanimously recommended local option levy
renewal at the current level of services.
The proposed renewal will be for a four-year, rate-based levy for the years FY08 through FY11. This
proposal assumes shifting some levy-funded services from levy funding to the General Fund. Because it
will be a rate-based local option tax levy, the amount levied each year will depend on the amount of
assessed value in the City. The economy and housing prices are expected to remain healthy over the
next few years and renewal of the Library Local Option Levy is not projected to result in any significant
Measure 5 compression of property tax revenue. For the vast majority of property in the city, total
general government taxes will remain below the $10 per $1000 of real market value tax cap prescribed
by Measure 5. However, a 3% contingency has been factored into the levy estimates to accommodate
the possibility of loss of levy revenue due to a drop in real market property values or the possibility that
projected future assessed value growth is less than expected.
On April 12, 2006, the City Council held a work session and directed staff to prepare a four-year local
option levy of $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed value to be placed on the November 7, 2006 ballot. This
levy size assumes a shift in FY08 of $700,000 in library services from levy funding to the General Fund.
The chart below sets out the gross amount levied, the tax rate of $0.41 per $1000 of assessed value, and
the estimated cost to the median homeowner for FY07 (the last year of the current levy) and for the
proposed levy renewal period. The median Eugene taxpayer is estimated to pay an average of $63 per
year over the four-year period of the levy.
Existing Proposed Levy Renewal
Levy Assuming $700,000 Shifted to General Fund
FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11
Gross Amount Levied $4.9 $4.5 $4.7 $4.9 $5.2
(in millions)
Tax Rate per $1000 $0.47 $0.41 $0.41 $0.41 $0.41
Assessed Value
Cost to Median Taxpayer $66.50 $60 $62 $64 $66
The effect of shifting $700,000 of levy-funded services to the General Fund is a reduction, from what
otherwise will be required in FY08, of about $0.07 per $1000 in the tax rate, and a reduction of about
$10.25 for the taxes on a median home
Passage of a property tax measure on a general election ballot in an even numbered year requires a
simple majority of the votes cast. A double majority is required in any other election.
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There are several other items that are may be placed on the November 2006 ballot. These include:
?PROS (Parks, Recreation and Open Space) bond measure
?Youth local option levy renewal
?Lane County income tax proposal
?Lane Community College local option levy
In order to place a measure on the November 7 general election ballot, the council must act by July 26 to
start the voters’ pamphlet process.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
City of Eugene Financial Management Goals and Policies
Policy C.3 – Serial tax levies
“To the maximum extent possible, serial tax levies will be used only for time-limited operating
services or for capital improvements subject to the rate limitation for non-school governments.”
Policy C.6 – Non-recurring revenue
“Except for local option levies approved by the voters, the City will use non-recurring revenue
on limited-duration services, capital projects, equipment requirements, or services that can be
terminated without significant disruption in the community or City organization.”
COUNCIL OPTIONS
There are two options for City Council action:
1. The council may choose to approve the resolution placing the measure on the November 2006 ballot
as presented in Attachment A, with a library levy of $0.41 per $1000 of assessed value.
2. The council may choose to not approve the resolution.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the resolution included in Attachment A.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to approve Resolution 4868 calling a City Election on November 7, 2006, for the purpose of
referring to the legal electors of the City of Eugene a measure authorizing a four-year Local Option
Levy for the funding of Library operations.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Proposed Resolution
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Connie Bennett
Telephone: 682-5363
Staff E-Mail: connie.J.Bennett@ci.eugene.or.us
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ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION CALLING A CITY ELECTION ON
NOVEMBER 7, 2006, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFERRING
TO THE LEGAL ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF EUGENE
A MEASURE AUTHORIZING A FOUR-YEAR LOCAL
OPTION LEVY FOR THE FUNDING OF LIBRARY
OPERATIONS.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds as follows:
A.
On November 3, 1998, the voters of the City of Eugene approved an $8,760,000,
four-year serial levy for library operations, which commenced July 1, 1999, and expired on
June 30, 2003. The funds provided by this levy were used to meet one-time costs and operations
of a new larger Downtown Library and two branch libraries. Levy funds were also used for
service enhancements, including adding Sunday hours, enhanced collection and an enhanced
Internet center.
B.
On May 21, 2002, the voters of the City of Eugene approved a four-year Library
Local Option Levy in the amount of $4,900,000 per year beginning July 1, 2003, which expires
on June 30, 2007. The monies have been used for the funding of library operations, including,
enhanced collection budget to purchase books, extending library hours, and adding staff.
C.
On April 12, 2006, the City Council held a work session and agreed that a four-
year Local Option Levy of $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed value should be placed on the November
7, 2006 ballot. Such a levy is projected to raise approximately $19.3 million over the four year
period. The proposed levy would renew the Library Local Option Levy currently on the tax bills
of Eugene taxpayers in order to continue current Library services. The amount anticipated to be
raised each year of the four-year levy is as follows: $4.5 million levied in fiscal year 2008, $4.7
million levied in fiscal year 2009, $4.9 million levied in fiscal year 2010, and $5.2 million levied
in fiscal year 2011. The median Eugene taxpayer will pay an average of $63 per year over the
four-year period of the levy.
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the above findings,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1.
A city election is called for the purpose of referring to the legal electors of
the City of Eugene a measure authorizing a four-year Library Local Option Levy in the amount
of $0.41 per $1,000 of assessed value, beginning July 1, 2007, for the funding of library
operations.
Section 2.
The City Council orders this city election to be held in the City of Eugene,
Oregon, concurrently with the general election on November 7, 2006, in accordance with the
Resolution - Page 1 of 2
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provisions of Chapter 254 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, and the ballots shall be counted and
tabulated and the results certified as provided by law.
Section 3.
The City Recorder is directed to give not less than ten days’ notice of the
city election by publication of one notice in the Register Guard, a newspaper published in the
City and of general circulation within the City.
Section 4.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution adopted the _____ day of May, 2006.
__________________________________________
City Recorder
Resolution - Page 2 of 2
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