Residents currently pay $33 in property taxes each year toward
libraries
GILROY – Santa Clara County Library officials are restarting a political process they put to rest 10 years ago but is as important as ever.
On the March 2004 ballot, taxpayers countywide may be asked to continue – and potentially increase – their property taxes so library hours and inventory can remain at their present levels. Already a consultant has been hired to begin a “fact-based” public awareness campaign for the county library system.
A citizens committee separate from, but friendly to, the library has selected the same consultant to run the political side of the campaign.
“This is pretty much the most significant issue we’re dealing with right now in light of the recent state budget that was passed,” County Librarian Melinda Cervantes said.
Cervantes said the county library system lost $790,000 for fiscal year 2003-04 due to reductions in the state’s budget. And a library foundation that two years ago was generating $58 million for libraries around the state, now brings in less than $16 million.
There will be no direct impact on Gilroy Library even though the local branch is part of a countywide library system. For the 2003-04 fiscal year, the county library system will use rainy day funds to cover the lost revenue.
County voters approved the existing $33 residential property tax 10 years ago, but in June 2005 that ballot initiative expires. If two-thirds of voters do not approve a new tax, the library would lose 20 percent of its operating budget.
Even though the existing tax does not run out until June 2005, officials want to get the tax initiative on the 2004 ballot. If the ballot initiative fails, library supporters must wait one year until they can ask for voter approval again. March 2005 would be the last election before the funding runs out in June 2005.
Based on preliminary research, Cervantes said, voter support for continuing the tax is strong. A recent survey revealed that 87 percent would support the tax at its current rate. Two-thirds approval is required for the special tax to pass.
What is unknown at this stage is whether voters would support a tax increase. Given inflation, Cervantes said, a property tax of $44 per parcel would need to be levied to match funding levels from the mid 1990s.
“When we started the assessment in the ’90s it covered 40 percent of our costs,” Cervantes said. “Now, it covers only 20 percent.”
Cervantes said library officials would decide this fall whether to ask taxpayers for a larger amount. They will also have to decide how many years they want the assessment to run.
