News
ENLARGE
As Library Futures Committee members have been making the rounds of city councils, they've been asked questions they can't answer about the library service district they've proposed forming.
For example, the councils want to know if they would still be obligated to make annual contributions to their city branches. Others want to know how the $3 million generated in property taxes would be spent and where.
Those questions are impossible for the committee to answer because members won't be operating the library system. If the district is put on the ballot and approved, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners would be the governing body for the library district.
The lack of a statement from the commissioners' office has been puzzling to many, so I spoke with Commissioner Doug Robertson, the liaison for the library system, to find out why the commissioners haven't gotten involved in the library proposal.
Two main reasons emerged: Timing and practicality.
Robertson strongly believes Douglas County could continue to adequately fund government services, including the library, if only we were able to use the assets within our borders. The solution lies in managing the Oregon & California Railroad forest lands.
A bipartisan plan supported by federal lawmakers, Reps. Peter DeFazio, Greg Walden and Kurt Schrader, is close to being released. If it receives congressional approval, it could provide timber for our mills, revenue for Oregon counties and save the federal Bureau of Land Management $100 million.
“If we're successful with that, I don't know how you go to the public and ask for a levy,” Robertson said, referring to the library proposal that would tax property owners up to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. “That's been problematic for mounting a campaign because it's unknown.”
At the same time, he understands that library supporters are frustrated with the cuts that have occurred in the library system as funding has dwindled. The uncertain funding has made them want to sever from the county and create a more reliable source of funding.
He recognizes the committee's right to do that and for the public to vote to implement a library service district, but he isn't ready to support a separate taxing entity until all efforts for funding county services are exhausted.
If it comes to a worst-case scenario, Robertson said the commissioners have to look at funding options for all services that receive money from the general fund, including the sheriff's office, district attorney's office, parks, museum and the library.
“I don't think it's appropriate for us to start picking and choosing what services to fund through levies,” he said.
That doesn't mean he's not supportive of the library system.
“We have always been committed to our countywide library branch system,” he said. “We've always supported it, and you can figure we would in the future.”
He admitted that if funding continues but at a reduced rate, the number of hours the libraries are open could be further cut.
That's another possible scenario. In addition to the hoped-for O&C lands proposal, Sen. Ron Wyden has introduced yet another extension of what's known as the timber safety net. The current safety net, which delivered about $16 million to Douglas County this year, expired Sept. 30. The new proposal would provide five more years of funding, but it would be reduced by 5 percent per year.
Those reductions would have to be passed to county departments, like the library, that are already hurting after being reduced by about 65 percent over the past four years.
It's possible that legislation could be improved upon in 2013 when Wyden is expected to move up to chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, but that depends on Democrats retaining the majority in the Senate following the 2012 election.
So, it's complicated and there are a lot of “if's.” But for now, Robertson is waiting to see if legislation that will fund all county services can be passed before he encourages support for a library service district.
As registered voters, you can decide which choice is best for you. Those who live in our county's cities, however, need your city council to allow the resolution for district formation on the ballot.
News-Review Editor Vicki Menard can be reached at 541-957-4203 or by email at vmenard@nrtoday.com.
For example, the councils want to know if they would still be obligated to make annual contributions to their city branches. Others want to know how the $3 million generated in property taxes would be spent and where.
Those questions are impossible for the committee to answer because members won't be operating the library system. If the district is put on the ballot and approved, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners would be the governing body for the library district.
The lack of a statement from the commissioners' office has been puzzling to many, so I spoke with Commissioner Doug Robertson, the liaison for the library system, to find out why the commissioners haven't gotten involved in the library proposal.
Two main reasons emerged: Timing and practicality.
Robertson strongly believes Douglas County could continue to adequately fund government services, including the library, if only we were able to use the assets within our borders. The solution lies in managing the Oregon & California Railroad forest lands.
A bipartisan plan supported by federal lawmakers, Reps. Peter DeFazio, Greg Walden and Kurt Schrader, is close to being released. If it receives congressional approval, it could provide timber for our mills, revenue for Oregon counties and save the federal Bureau of Land Management $100 million.
“If we're successful with that, I don't know how you go to the public and ask for a levy,” Robertson said, referring to the library proposal that would tax property owners up to 50 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. “That's been problematic for mounting a campaign because it's unknown.”
At the same time, he understands that library supporters are frustrated with the cuts that have occurred in the library system as funding has dwindled. The uncertain funding has made them want to sever from the county and create a more reliable source of funding.
He recognizes the committee's right to do that and for the public to vote to implement a library service district, but he isn't ready to support a separate taxing entity until all efforts for funding county services are exhausted.
If it comes to a worst-case scenario, Robertson said the commissioners have to look at funding options for all services that receive money from the general fund, including the sheriff's office, district attorney's office, parks, museum and the library.
“I don't think it's appropriate for us to start picking and choosing what services to fund through levies,” he said.
That doesn't mean he's not supportive of the library system.
“We have always been committed to our countywide library branch system,” he said. “We've always supported it, and you can figure we would in the future.”
He admitted that if funding continues but at a reduced rate, the number of hours the libraries are open could be further cut.
That's another possible scenario. In addition to the hoped-for O&C lands proposal, Sen. Ron Wyden has introduced yet another extension of what's known as the timber safety net. The current safety net, which delivered about $16 million to Douglas County this year, expired Sept. 30. The new proposal would provide five more years of funding, but it would be reduced by 5 percent per year.
Those reductions would have to be passed to county departments, like the library, that are already hurting after being reduced by about 65 percent over the past four years.
It's possible that legislation could be improved upon in 2013 when Wyden is expected to move up to chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, but that depends on Democrats retaining the majority in the Senate following the 2012 election.
So, it's complicated and there are a lot of “if's.” But for now, Robertson is waiting to see if legislation that will fund all county services can be passed before he encourages support for a library service district.
As registered voters, you can decide which choice is best for you. Those who live in our county's cities, however, need your city council to allow the resolution for district formation on the ballot.
News-Review Editor Vicki Menard can be reached at 541-957-4203 or by email at vmenard@nrtoday.com.
