HomeMy WebLinkAbout#32Staff Report-Rejoining Wash Co Library SystemMAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
DATE: June 21, 2016
REGULAR
ITEM #: 32
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Rejoining the Washington County Library System as a Branch Library
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
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BACKGROUND: Under MN Stat. 134.07, the governing body of any city or county may establish and maintain public library service for the use of its inhabitants. By ordinance or resolution it may set apart for the benefit thereof any public property of the city or county. In any statutory city and in any city
of the second, third, or fourth class, and in any county, the governing body may levy an annual tax on all taxable property therein except counties may not tax property which is already taxed for public library service. The proceeds of the tax shall be known as the library fund.
For the last five years, the City of Lake Elmo has levied a tax for library services under the above
statute. If the City Council would like to no longer levy that tax and allow Washington County to do so, then they must give notice to the County Auditor of the change by July 1 under MN Stat. 275.067.
The library board and Council have previously discussed options of rejoining the county library
system as an associate library or branch library. Associate status only exists for those libraries that were in place before the County system was created. Representatives from the library have been meeting with county staff to discuss options. No agreement has come out of those discussions to date, however the City is approaching the key deadline of July 1st to make a
decision about the levy.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the Council provide notice to the County Auditor they will not be levying the library levy in 2017? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Mayor Pearson and Council Member Bloyer have asked that this item be put on the Council agenda for
discussion given the approaching July 1 deadline and this being the last regularly scheduled Council meeting prior to that deadline.
FISCAL IMPACT: Library levy was $256,957 in 2016, $231,261 in 2015, $256,957 in 2014, $256,957 in 2013, $260,078 in 2012. OPTIONS: 1) Direct staff to notify the County Auditor of the City’s intent not to levy a library levy for 2017. 2) Direct staff to prepare a 2017 budget which includes a City levy for library services.
RECOMMENDATION: Mayor Pearson would recommend option 1 Motion to direct staff to notify the County Auditor of the City’s intent not to levy a library levy
for 2017.