Cook questioned the impacts of Measure B4, the library initiative that would bolster the present $25 property tax to $40; the measure will appear on the March ballot. If passed the measure would add $112,000 annually to library coffers.“Time is of the essence,” and if the city had taken over the library, “not only would the library benefit but the community of Santa Paula as well,” noted Cook. “. . .I’m baffled,” that the city’s offer of help was rejected. “I hope down the road they see the light at the end of the tunnel.”Vice Mayor Mary Ann Krause was “disappointed” with the board’s decision but noted that trustees were unprepared for such a decision at this point.Councilman John Procter noted that if a BCL trustee wanted to explain how they reached their decision they had the opportunity to address same, but no one stepped forward.The library belongs to the community, said Mayor Gabino Aguirre, who challenged trustees to “develop a plan, short term and long term,” to maintain “this very valuable community asset.”The council tabled the resolution of support for Measure B4 and requested that library trustees present a fiscal plan before reconsideration of initiative support.
City Council requests BCL spending plan for Measure B4 tax increase
January 28, 2004
Santa Paula City Council
A terse Santa Paula City Council asked for a spending plan before they consider backing the property tax increase being sought by Blanchard Community Library.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA terse Santa Paula City Council asked for a spending plan before they consider backing the property tax increase being sought by Blanchard Community Library.The council made the request after they learned that their offer to absorb the financially strapped library had been rejected.At the Jan. 20th meeting, BCL Board President Brenda de Jamaer told the council that earlier in the day library trustees had “. . .voted to not approve the concept of the Santa Paula City Council becoming the board of trustees of the Blanchard Community Library District,” said de Jamaer.De Jamaer’s remark noted the major sticking point for BCL trustees, retaining autonomy.Management is apparently the major problem at BCL, said City Councilman Rick Cook, as “something is happening to the money. . .”The projected first year savings to the library’s approximate $475,000 annual budget would have been $52,000.
