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Library Levy Likely For Eugene Voters

Eugene Public Library

Eugene voters could see a property tax levy on the November ballot to help fund library services. The City Council discussed several options at its Wednesday work session. The previous library levy was allowed to expire four years ago. The Sheldon, Bethel and downtown branches now receive about 10-million dollars a year from the city's general fund. But the needs of other departments, as well as increased benefits and payroll costs have led to cuts in library hours.

A poll conducted in April of Eugene voters, indicated that 54-percent would support a library levy, but only if it wasn't more than $3 or $4 a month. The money would allow the libraries to add back the number of hours they're open and purchase books and other materials. City Council President Claire Syrett says she's in favor of sending a levy to voters.

Syrett: "I think we don't have a lot of other options to raise local revenue and this would be a targeted levy that voters can be confident will support library services."

The council will meet July 13th to discuss details of the proposed library levy. They'll have to make a final decision by July 29th to get it on the November ballot.
 

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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