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By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff
writer
A political action committee has formed to
advocate for creation of a new taxing district that will fund
three libraries in
Hood
River
County.
Save Our Library is being headed by Mike
Schend and Michael Schock, who chaired a task force to determine
the level of funding needed by the district.
Jim Greenleaf has volunteered to help SOL
reach out to voters prior to the May 18, 2010, election that
will decide the issue. He directed marketing in the 2008
campaign on behalf of Democrat Suzanne VanOrman, who represents
District 52 in the state House.
Schock said the committee includes 10
citizens concerned about keeping the libraries open.
“We are going to be raising funds that will
be used to get the word out,” he said.
Individuals still have time to make a $50 tax
deductible contribution ($100 for joint filers) in 2009.
“Then, if we are lucky, they will turn around
and give us another deductible donation for 2010 that will help
us with mailing expenses, signage and other needs,” said Schock.
Contributions to SOL can be mailed to: 1767
12th St. #280, Hood River, OR 97031.
The Hood River County Library Task Force has
recommended that voters be asked to approve a tax rate of 70
cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The revenue
will fund library branches in Hood River, Parkdale and Cascade
Locks.
The Hood River County Commission will
consider on Dec. 21 whether to adopt an order that establishes a
library district. The elected body will also decide whether to
follow the funding and operational plan recommended by the task
force.
Public hearings on the issue will be held
sometime in January, although no dates have yet been set.
Last summer, the county board decided that,
due to budget constraints, funding for the libraries would be
eliminated in fiscal year 2010-11.
The commission agreed to develop a funding
plan with a new district to bridge the gap between the start of
the new fiscal year in July and the time that tax revenue
becomes available in November.
The task force consulted with the Friends of
the Library, The Library Foundation, Oregon Library Association
and Oregon Special District Association while researching
funding needs.
The group’s goal was to develop a budget
model that outlined how much money would be needed from
taxpayers to sustain the facilities and how that revenue would
be spent.
The task force has estimated that by the end
of the district’s third year, an annual budget of $1.2 million
will be available, with an ending balance of $304,000.
That revenue is expected to fully cover
payroll expenses at the three libraries, as well as allow for
the ongoing purchases of new literature and computer equipment.
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