As we noted in a previous posting, the Oro Valley Council will be holding a Study Session on Wed. Jan 14 @ 5:30 PM.
One issue of prime importance is the question of what do do with the 214 acre Naranja Park site now that the $48.6M bond issue was defeated.
The 2nd critical issue has to do with the library.
Oro Valley residents are now paying twice to operate our library. For those who may not realize it, among the multitude of taxes we pay, including Pima County Property Tax, Amphi School taxes, county bonds, etc. is a Library Tax in the amount of about $100 per household.
Additionally, inasmuch as OV runs its own library, whereas other Pima County branches are under the auspices of the county, we, as a community are operating our library at a deficit of approx. one million dollars per year.
The question is this: Should we continue paying twice, or turn the library over to the county (similar to the other branches) and pay ONLY the mandated tax?
To have your voices heard on these two issues, please attend the meeting on Wed. Jan14.
15 comments:
It makes no sense for the Oro Valley library not to become a part of the larger Pima County Library System, especially if it means an extra financial burden on OV taxpayers.
Hopefully the town council will consider turning the OV Library back to county control.Under the current economic conditions it is a good idea.
Perhaps somebody can find out OV can then pay for certain additional type functions, such as hours, programs etc, in other words just pay what we have to and then what OV wants in addition to what standard services are provided by Pima
I have to agree with these two posters, and I hope that they and others who believe in fiscal responsibility will show up on Wednesday night to counteract all the bleeding hearts who think it's worth millions of dollars per year to keep "control" of the library. Honestly, I can't imagine that any of the services will change if the county has "control" versus the city.
Mom, not sure but I do sort of remember talk about how the county would control the hours, etc and maybe the programs presented But I would think something could be worked out with minimal expense or effort that would please both the county and Ov users
Hope some of the council people will read our posts, not sure how they feel about this issue but regardless of their personal feelings/opinions they need to be fiscally responsible with the towns finances
I believe we'll find that,if not all, at least most of the council members will understand that fiscal responsibility is the key phrase.
Keep in mind, this is only a Study Session, so no action will be taken. However, the council will hear input from both sides which will probably be a factor in their ultimate decision.
Ms. Coyote,
I think that the bleeding hearts will tell you that the County might cut hours, etc. But I think that's just a scare tactic.
You can find the hours for all Pima County libraries, including Oro Valley, here:
http://www.library.pima.gov/locations/
It looks like the hours are all pretty similar, except that most libraries have at least some hours on Sunday, whereas Oro Valley and a few others do not.
Same with programs. There seems to be just as much or more going on at county-run libraries.
The bottom line that we need to ask the bleeding hearts is what OTHER programs or services should the town cut? Do we close the pool because they want Oro Valley to have "control" of the library? Do we cut back on police? Road maintenence? Those are the decisions that the council will need to make. And they need to hear from rational people who support fiscal responsibility.
If you agree that turning over the library to the county is better than cutting other services like public safety, then please write to the council members and/or show up at the study session on Wednesday night.
The last time this issue came up, the Friends of the Library packed the room with people wearing buttons or stickers that said "We love our library." Maybe readers of this blog can show up with stickers that say "No double taxation."
The last time the library issue came up there was a pretty loud response from the community that they wanted the library to stay under Town supervision and when Pima didn't want to build a library in OV, it went to a vote and the public wanted it. Going to Pima will absolutely reduce staff, and programs. Check out the Library web to see everything going on. OV would lose the Friends of the Library, who donate substantial sums for many things the county won't, the book sales twice a year, and a good portion of the wonderful folks who volunteer. We would lose many of the really good programs that are only there because the staff at OV cultivates those relationships. We would also lose much of the staff as they are largely local residents and Pima sends staff anywhere, whenever they want. Have you ever been in a county library branch? Staff are generally unfriendly and unhappy whereas staff at OV aren’t, and usually make less than pima pays for the same positions. We'd lose the free meeting room that's available for the public's use even when the library is closed. The money for the library comes out of the towns general fund, from what I understand. What would you rather it go for, the Naranja Town Site? There are many very good reasons the library should stay. The agreement with Pima should be renegotiated with OV getting their full share of county tax money. Also many cities have a library tax above and beyond the county tax. It's not unusual. Taxes won’t go down but so much would be lost. I wouldn’t be surprised if county taxes were raised, their budget has been drastically reduced as of late and could hardly afford OV no matter what subsidies the town paid. And remember EVERYTHING at the library is FREE. I hope someone will be there to defend the library.
In general, in the communities in which I lived, libraries were the sole responsibility of the counties. What ARE we getting from the county in return for those property tax dollars we give to them? Oro Valley needs to get back to earth especially now that the WHOLE country is faltering. We need to admit that we just can't afford certain things at this time and learn to live with it. I just read this morning that several California communities were on the verge of bankruptcy (probably many more throughout the Country); if we (OV) don't put on the brakes it could happen here. The library? Turn it over to Pima! And, yes, desertdweller, I do understand your point(s) and they do have validity, however, we are in a changed world and though it ain't pretty, we must take note and react accordingly.
So let me get this straight, DD,
You want to keep the library under the control of the Town of Oro Valley because we would loose donors if the library goes to Pima. How much do they donate?
From my calculations:
We pay Pima County $2.3 Million in taxes for Pima Libraries (and get nothing for it)
The Oro Valley library cost about $1.2 Million in cost per year and Citizens of Oro Valley pay an additional around $700 k to the OV Library (The county is suppose to pay the other half but rarely do).
So we, the citizens of Oro Valley are paying nearly $3 million for our library that should only cost $1.2 million.
Do the Friends of the Library cough up $1.7 Million a year? I don’t think so. END THE HAND OUTS! Give the library to PIMA.
The last time the library issue came up, I don't think anyone was aware that that the county is pocketing $2.3 million per year of our tax dollars. By state law, cities can't form their own library districts, only counties can do that. So we will continue to pay that tax AND pay nearly $1 million per year out of our general fund to run the library, which should be the county's responsibility.
Desertdweller says that "going to Pima will absolutely reduce staff, and programs." What is your evidence of that?
Desertdweller says that "OV would lose the Friends of the Library, who donate substantial sums for many things the county won't, the book sales twice a year, and a good portion of the wonderful folks who volunteer." Why would the Friends of the Library go away? What is the amount that they donate each year? Why would the book sales stop? Why would the volunteers leave?
Desertdweller says "We would lose many of the really good programs that are only there because the staff at OV cultivates those relationships. We would also lose much of the staff as they are largely local residents and Pima sends staff anywhere, whenever they want." That doesn't make any sense. If the library staff is made up of locals, won't they continue the relationships that bring in the programs? Or are you saying that they will they end those relationships out of spite if they have to work for the county?
Desertdweller asks, "Have you ever been in a county library branch? Staff are generally unfriendly and unhappy whereas staff at OV aren’t, and usually make less than pima pays for the same positions."
I have been in many branches, and I haven't noticed a difference in the friendliness or happiness of staff. And are you saying that the librarians would actually make more money if they worked for the county??? Wow, that's reason enough to turn it over.
Desertdweller says, "We'd lose the free meeting room that's available for the public's use even when the library is closed." Um, how do you figure? There are free meeting rooms at nearly all the libraries, and several of them are open even after the library closes.
Desertdweller says, "The money for the library comes out of the towns general fund, from what I understand. What would you rather it go for, the Naranja Town Site?" Desertdweller, do you realize that we are in a recession and our town is facing a budget shortfall of several million dollars? We don't have the money to build the Naranja Town Site, and we may not have the money to maintain the existing parks, roads, or anything else. We are all going to have to tighten our belts, put on our grown up undies, and make cuts where they make the most sense and cause the least pain.
Desertdweller says, "There are many very good reasons the library should stay." We just haven't heard any yet.
Desertdweller says, "The agreement with Pima should be renegotiated with OV getting their full share of county tax money." YES!! That's the best idea I've heard so far. We negotiate for the entire $2.3 million, when it only costs $1.3 million to run the library. We can use the extra million to help balance our budget. Excellent idea. How many of you think the county will sign off on that?
Desertdweller says, "Also many cities have a library tax above and beyond the county tax. It's not unusual." Not in Arizona. Here, only counties can have a library tax.
Desertdweller says, "Taxes won’t go down but so much would be lost." You just haven't proven what would be lost. Just a lot of the ususal scare tactics.
Desertdweller says, "I wouldn’t be surprised if county taxes were raised, their budget has been drastically reduced as of late and could hardly afford OV no matter what subsidies the town paid." They can't afford OV, even though they get $2.3 million of our library taxes, and it only costs $1.3 million to run the library? It sounds like Oro Valley is the jurisdiction that is getting screwed.
Desertdweller says, "And remember EVERYTHING at the library is FREE." And that is different from the county how?
Desertdweller says, "I hope someone will be there to defend the library." I hope someone will be there to defend the taxpayers.
OV Mom, terrific analysis and rebuttal. I would like to add: Desertdweller, nothing run by any government is free!!!
Although, as noted, the Jan 14 meeting is a Study Session, hopefully the mayor will allow those wishing to opine to have the opportunity.
I think we can expect a large turnout of "Friends of the Library" and others.
Also, don't forget, there's that other contentious issue on the agenda--the status of the Naranja Park site.
It should be a fun night!!!
I agree that it makes no sense for OV to refuse turning the running of the library over to the county. Every place I have ever lived; the library is funded and run by a county.
As I remember the last meeting which was packed to the rafters; most all who spoke were from outside OV. Therefore they did not pay for the extra expense of OV running the library. If they had to pay taxes or give some of their pay to finance the library perhaps they would have looked at things differently.....
Most librarys have "Friends of the Library" - why should the OV "branch" be any different???
Scare tactics have worked in the past in this town; I'm hoping with the economy of the nation the good people of OV will give this item serious thought.
Raindancer
Last but not least....
The county should run the library. Going back to the sayers of needs versus wants, it's nice for Oro Valley to run the library but we are getting fiscally hosed in this deal.
Just another 'kiss' from Ann Day and Chuckles!!
Does this council have the political courage to DO THE RIGHT THING and let go of the library?
Hours will probably change in all the library's to save money.
The 'Friends" should be able to continue as they are now.
OV employees don't want the change. They would get lower salaries and fewer benefits with Pima County.
Time to address the council to do what is right for Oro Valley instead of what's the best way to get re-elected. $750K would go a long way at Town Hall.
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