Levy extension for city's library heads to voters

Voters are likely to see a measure on the November ballot asking them whether they want to extend the levy that has boosted Ashland Public Library hours and services.

On Tuesday night, the Ashland City Council voted unanimously to place an extension of the levy on the ballot.

Councilors also directed city staff to come back to them with financial information about whether a tax rate recommended by the Citizen Library Advisory Ad Hoc Committee is the correct amount to fund existing services plus cover 3 percent annual cost increases.

The levy would be extended to 2013. The library committee has recommended a tax rate of up to 25 cents per $1,000 in assessed value.

That would cost the owner of a home assessed at $213,000 — the median amount in Ashland — $53.25 per year. Assessed values are lower than market values because of state property tax limitations.

Ashland voters first approved the supplemental levy in 2007. Without an extension, it is slated to end in 2010. The current tax rate is 20 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, or $42.60 per year for the owner of a home at the median assessed value.

"While we are at 20 cents now, there may be increased costs," said library committee chair Pam Vavra, explaining why the committee recommended an amount of up to 25 cents. She said a lesser amount would be levied if the full 25 cents is not needed.

Library supporters want to put the levy extension on this November's ballot, in part, so it won't come up for renewal in a year when other levies will probably come to voters.

The supplemental levy has allowed Ashland's library to be open 40 hours per week, compared to 24 hours if only Jackson County funding were used.

Without an extension, hours would drop back down to 24 hours per week in 2010 with only county funding. There is no identified county funding beginning in 2011.

Staff writer Vickie Aldous can be reached at 479-8199 or vlaldous@yahoo.com. To post a comment, visit www.dailytidings.com.