HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.1 AlaCntyLibrarySvsSpecialTx
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CITY OF DUBLIN
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 13, 1994
SUBJECT
:
Request from Alameda County Library Advisory
Commission for city council support of the
placement of a Special Tax for Library
Services on the November 1994 ballot.
Report by Diane Lowart, Recreation Director
~correspondence from Linda M. Wood, County
Librarian
EXHIBITS ATTACHED
RECOMMENDATION ~ ~f.-
FINANCIAL STATEMENT :
Consider Request
Single family residential: $30 per parcel
per year (includes condominiums)
Iful tiple residential unit parcel, containing
2, 3, 4 or 5 or more units: $15 per year for
each residential unit
Cooperatives not subdivided into individual
parcels: $30 per year for each residential
unit
Mobile home park parcel: $10 per year for
each mobile home space
C01D111.ercial or industrial parcels: $ 30 per
year for each parcel containing three acres
or less; $5 for each additional acre
Rural parcel with homesite: $30 per year per
parcel
Rural parcel with cOlll1lleTcial or industrial
use: $30 per year per parcel.
DESCRIPTION : Correspondence has been received from County
Librarian Linda Wood requesting that the Dublin city Council support
the placement of a special tax for library services on the November,
1994 ballot by the Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the special
tax is to restore funding to Alameda County Libraries that was lost as
a result of the recent tax shift from city and County governments to
the state.
The proposed special tax is a special parcel tax requiring a
two-thirds vote. The tax will be on each parcel and the areas
included in the special library tax will be the unincorporated area of
Alameda County plus the cities of DUblin, Fremont, Newark, Pleasanton
and Union city. The revenue generated will be used only for the
purposes of library services in the County Library service area
included in the special library tax. If approved by the voters, the
tax will become effective on July I, 1995 for a period of five years
thereafter.
The amount of the tax per year ranges from $10 to $30 (see Financial
Statement). Exemptions from the tax would be vacant parcels, rural
parcels used for agriculture, rural property in transition to a higher
use, churches, schools, cemeteries, common areas, exempt public
agencies, parcels leased or owned by a public utility, and improved
government owned parcels. In addition, an exemption for low income
homeowners is included.
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ITEM: NO.~ COPIES TO: Alameda County Library
X RE.F 940 -30
CITY CLERK
FILE ~
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The proposed special tax is estimated to generate at least $4.15
million annually for five years. The availability of additional
revenue from the proposed special tax will result in improved service
levels at all the libraries. If the measure passes, County funded
hours at the Dublin Branch Library would increase from 17 hours per
week to 34 hours per week.
The proposed special tax for library services has been reviewed and
approved by the Alameda County Library Advisory commission which the
City is represented on by councilmember Houston. It is the
recommendation of Staff that the City council consider the request
from the Alameda County Library to support the placement of a special
tax for library services on the November, 1994 ballot.
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2 4 5 0 5 t eve n son B 0 u I e v a r d. F rem 0 n t. C a II for n I a_ 94 5 3 8 - 2 3 2 6
Phone (510) 745-1500 FAX (510) 793-2987
Linda M. Wood.County Librarian
DATE:
May 24, 1994
FROM:
Mayor and Council, City of Dublin
~. 1n )/H-J?
Linda M. Wood, County Librarian :/iVYLd..., . .
TO:
SUBJECT:
Referral from Alameda County Library Advisory Commission on
Recommendation to Board of Supervisors on a Proposed Special
Tax for Library Services
The Alameda County Library Advisory Commission is requesting that the Dublin City
Council support the placement of a special tax for library services on the November,
1994 ballot by the Board of Supervisors. The City of Dublin is represented on the
Commission by Councilman Guy Houston.
On May 11, 1994. the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission took action to:
1. Recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the Board place the proposed
special tax for library services on the November, 1994 General Election ballot
for a vote of the people, and
2. Refer their recommendation for the proposed special tax for library services
to the Fremont and Pleasanton Library Advisory Commissions (for
recommendation and referral to their respective City Councils) and to the
City Councils of Dublin, Newark, and Union City, asking them to support the
placement of this measure on the November, 1994 ballot by the Board of
Supervisors.
BACKGROUND
The Alameda County Library serves a population of 499,800, including six cities and
the unincorporated areas. The Library is funded primarily through a designated
portion of the property tax. The Alameda County Library has lost almost 40% of its tax
base due to State budget shifts during the last two years. Service hours and staff
were cut approximately 50%, and funds for library materials dropped 60% over two
years. Losses were mitigated in some locations by city contributions and in the
Fremont Main library
Albany. Business Library. Castro Volley. Centervllle
Dublin. Extension Services. Irvington . Newark
Niles. Pleasanton . San Lorenzo. Union City
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Proposed Special Tax for Library Services
May 24, 1994
Page 2
unincorporated areas by utility tax revenues. A one-time infusion of general fund
revenue also allowed higher service levels than would have been possible without it.
PROCESS
A special tax for library services, which will require a two-thirds majority vote, was
determined to be the only legally available method for obtaining sufficient funding to
restore services to a level desired by the public. A voter opinion survey was
conducted for the County Library by Price Research to determine whether sufficient
public support existed to consider this approach. The results of the voter opinion
survey indicated that there was sufficient support. The results of this poll were
discussed at meetings of the County Library Advisory Commission, the Fremont and
Pleasanton Library Advisory Commissions, and the Board of Supervisors
Unincorporated Services Committee in February and March.
PROPOSED SPECIAL TAX
The proposed special tax is a special parcel tax, requiring a two-thirds vote. The
rationale of the tax is that is will be based on prospective library needs from occupants
of various types of parcels, both residential and commercial/industrial; exemptions for
types of parcels are noted below.
The tax will be on each parcel; the amount of the special tax will appear on the tax bill
for the parcel owner, identified as a special library tax. The areas included in the
special library tax will be the unincorporated area plus the cities of Dublin, Fremont,
Newark, Pleasanton and Union City. This area is the County Library's service area
excluding the City of Albany which has its own special library tax on the June, 1994
ballot.
The revenue generated will be used only for the purposes of library services in the
County Library service area included in the special library tax. If approved by the
voters, the tax will become effective on July 1, 1995 for a period of five years
thereafter.
The amounts of the tax per year for each type of parcel will be as follows:
1. One single family residential (including condominiums): $30 per parcel per year.
2. Multiple residential unit parcel, containing 2, 3,4 or 5 or more units: $15 per year
for each residential unit located on such parcel.
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Proposed Special Tax for Library Services
May 24, 1994
Page 3
3. For cooperatives not subdivided into individual parcels, $30 per year for each
residential unit.
4. Mobile home park parcel: $10 per year for each for each mobile home space
located on such parcel.
5. Commercial or industrial parcel: $30 per year for each parcel containing three
acres or less. For a parcel containing more than three acres, $5 tor each
additional acre or portion thereof.
6. Rural parcel with homesite: $30 per year per parcel.
7. Rural parcel with commercial or industrial use: $30 per year per parcel.
Exemptions: Vacant parcels, rural parcels used for agriculture, rural property in
transition to a higher use, churches, schools, cemeteries, common areas, exempt
public agencies. parcels leased or owned by a public utility, and improved government
owned parcels, in addition to the low income homeowners as noted below.
Low income homeowner exemption: Exempt from this tax would be owners of
single-family residential units in which they reside whose combined family income,
from all sources for the previous calendar year, is 80% and below the median income
for Alameda County residents. Owners would apply for this exemption to the Office of
the County Librarian.
Maintenance of effort provision: For any year this tax is in effect, the County may
collect the tax only if the General Fund appropriation for library services is maintained
by the Board of Supervisors at not less than the fiscal year 1994-95 level. However,
the Board may suspend this provision by resolution in any fiscal year that State
budget action reduces the County's General Fund revenue below the fiscal year 1994-
95 level.
REVENUE PROJECTIONS
The proposed special tax is estimated to generate at least $4.15 million annually for 5
years. This will impact the Library's estimated total revenues as follows:
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Proposed Special Tax for Library Services
May 24, 1994
Page 4
(Figures stated in millions)
1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000
Estimated Revenue $14.93 $14.99 $15.19 $15.41 $15.64
Including Special Tax
Without Proposed $10.78 $10.84 $11. 04 $11.26 $11.49
Special Tax
All of the, above estimates assume that there will be no further property tax takeaway
by the St&te.
SERVICE LEVELS
The availability of additional revenue from the proposed special tax will result in
improved service levels at all the libraries. If the measure passes, library hours would
be restored according to the attached chart. (See attachment A.) Reference and
information service would be available during all the open hours at all libraries. Money
from the tax would be used to update the reference and periodical collections. Money
from the tax \'/ould also be used for children's programs, including toddler and
preschool storytime and summer reading programs. There would be trained librarians
to help children and teens with homework assignments. Money from the tax would be
used to provide more books and other library materials for children and more services
and materials fer young adults, including recreational reading.
If the measure is not approved and if the County's utility tax for the unincorporated
areas continues at the current level, the current service level could be maintained in
fiscal year 1994/95 and most likely in fiscal year 1995/96. Following that year, unless
additional revenue sources are obtained, it is likely that service levels might need to
be reduced again. !f the special tax is not approved and if the County is unable to
maintain its utility tax funding for the unincorporated areas, services in the
unincorporated areas would need to be reduced accordingly.
PROCEDURE AND TIMETABLE FOR CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION
After approval by the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission, the proposed
special tax for library services will be referred to the Fremont and Pleasanton Library
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Proposed Special Tax for Library Services
May 24, 1994
Page 5
Advisory Commissions for their recommendations and referrals to their respective City
Councils. It will be referred directly to the City Councils of Dublin, Newark, and Union
City. It will also be referred to the Board of Supervisors' Unincorporated Services
Committee for their review of those aspects relating to the unincorporated area
service. Each city and the Board's Unincorporated Services Committee will be
requested to support the placement of this measure on the November, 1994 ballot by
the Board of Supervisors. The item should be on the various City Council agendas in
May and June and will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on June 21. The
Board's deadline for adopting the ballot ordinance for the November election is
August 12.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Dublin City Council support the placement of this measure on the November,
1994 ballot by the Board of Supervisors.
LW:SP:ej
Attach ment
cc Richard Ambrose. City Manager, City of Dublin
t:\asst\sptxdub.rpt
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