Library Funding Task Force Meetings

Creating a Multnomah County Library Funding Task Force

RESOLUTION NO. 07-094

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Finds:

a. Multnomah County's governance of the Multnomah County Library was established by Resolution No. 649 on May 17, 1990. Section 1(c) provides: "[t]he public library shall be financed by general fund monies, library operating revenues, grants, gifts, donations and bequests received and designated to be used for library purposes, and any tax levies that may be authorized by the electors."

b. Resolution No. 649 also established the Library Board and charges the Library Board to "undertake long-range planning for library services and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Long- range plans shall address service needs, budget priorities, stable public funding, and capital improvement, and shall be consistent with County, regional, State and national goals for libraries."

c. Goal 7 of the Library's Strategic Plan provides: "People in Multnomah County will have a public library system supported by stable funding adequate to meet the [Plan's] goals."

d. The Board of County Commissioners considers stable funding for quality library services in Multnomah County necessary and in the public interest.

e. It has been necessary to rely on voter approved levies and other revenue measures for sufficient funding of the library services expected by County residents.

f. In the past, Multnomah County voters have approved a library funding levy, but the measure could not take effect because less than 50% registered voters cast ballots in that election (Section 11(8), Article XI of Oregon Constitution).

g. Library levies have provided over half of the library's funds. Renewals have kept libraries open and allowed maintenance of hours and its many community services.

h. Voters approved a five-year rate based local option levy to continue library services on November 6, 2006.

i. It is in the best interest of Multnomah County to explore permanent, adequate and stable library funding options other than local levies. Establishing a task force responsible for examining alternatives to the current funding of the library is in the best interest of the County.

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Resolves:

1. That a Multnomah County Library Funding Task Force consisting of 13 to 16 citizens of Multnomah County be convened to assess the feasibility of all funding options and recommend the best option for funding Multnomah County Libraries.

2. Dean Gisvold and Susan Hathaway-Marxer, former chairs of the Library Advisory Board, will jointly lead the Task Force. Members of the Task Force will represent stakeholders throughout the County and will be appointed by the Chair. The Library Director, her staff and other necessary County agencies will assist the Task Force. Funding for the Task Force will be limited and will be provided by the Library's budget.

3. The Task Force will report to the Board no later than December 15, 2007, with a list of funding options for Multnomah County Libraries and a recommendation of the preferred option.

ADOPTED this 10th day of May, 2007.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON