Purpose of Meetings

• What is Save Jeffco Libraries?• What’s the problem?• How did we get here?• What’s the solution?• What are we doing about it?• Where do we go from here?

About Save Jeffco Libraries

• A grassroots initiative

• Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) patrons

• Many former Library Trustees

• Concerned about the Library’s funding and independence

• Believe creation of a library district is the solution

About Save Jeffco Libraries

• Not affiliated with JCPL, its Board of Trustees, Jefferson County Library Foundation, or Friends of the Library

• Registered with State of Colorado as a nonprofit

• Operated by volunteers

• Funded by donations

Jefferson County Public Library

About Your Library

• Serves Jeffco residents through– 10 libraries– >300 Online Computer Workstations– Mobile computer training lab– Bookmobile– Traveling Children’s Library– Homebound delivery

• 2011 budget: $25.6 million

• Funded by Property Tax mill levy voted on in a 1986 election

What’s the Problem?

• Commissioners have taken $6 million of library tax revenues past 5 years

• Next year: >$2 million short

• Closing Mondays saved $650,000/yr

• Library closing(s) and further service cuts are almost certain

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

($6,000,000)

($4,000,000)

($2,000,000)

$0

$2,000,000

$4,000,000

$6,000,000

$8,000,000

Free Cash Fund Balance

Available Reserve Fund Balance

Voter Authorized3.5 mills

County at 3.225(current)

Data updated per JCPL Long-Range Financial Plan dated 5-10-2011

History of Funding Issues

1986 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Voters approve Library

property tax

County begins taking $1/2 Million/yrFrom library

tax levy

$ $ $ $ $ $$$

Libraries Close

Mondays

County “Shifts”

$1 1/2 MillionFrom library

tax levy

Cut Staff, Close

1 or more Libraries

History of Funding Issues

• Outsourced Services

– Payroll, Human Resources, Legal, Insurance

– All services are outsourced voluntarily by the Library Board

History of Funding Issues

• Outsourced Services

– Charges by the County

• 2006: $418,143

• 2011: $858,088

– Library estimates outsourcing to private industry would save at least $300,000/yr

Problem Summary• In 1986 we voted to fund the library

with a dedicated tax levy

• County Commissioners are taking millions of dollars from that tax levy for other uses

• Result: Libraries are closed Mondays and threatened with much deeper cuts

• Libraries could be forced to CLOSE

The Solution:Make JCPL a Library

District• Funded with existing voter-approved

property tax levy

• Removes county authority to change the mill levy

• Long-term solution

– Not just restoring the mill levy

– Allows the Library to focus on its mission without political influence

About Library Districts

• 54 Colorado public libraries are districtsArapahoe County, Douglas County,Colorado Springs, Fort Collins

• Districts are among most effective and efficient libraries in the state

• Funded by the same property tax levy but the revenue goes direct to the library

• Focus on library’s mission without political influence

Governance Comparison

JCPL• Commissioners appoint

Library Board • Library Board has

exclusive spending and budget authority

• Library employees work for the Library Board, not for the County

• All Library property owned by Library Board

Library District• Same

• Same

• Same

• Same

The Library Board of Trustees is the governing body for both JCPL and a Library District

Funding ComparisonJCPL

• Commissioners set mill levy and appropriate funding

• Tax levy varies according to County priorities

• Vehicle Ownership Tax at Commissioners’ discretion

• Overcharged for Outsourced Services

• Long-term budget planning unreliable

Library District

• Library Board sets mill levy and appropriates funding

• Tax levy at voter-approved 3.5 mills

• Vehicle Ownership Tax guaranteed by law

• $300K/yr saved by outsourcing to private industry

• Budget planning secure and reliable

Library Board Conclusion

3-year study concluded in 2008:

“We strongly believe operating as a library district is the only way to ensure that your library remains financially viable, responsive and relevant for the foreseeable future.”

Endorsements

12 former JCPL Trustees with a combined total of more than 100 man-years on Library Board

Fmr. JCPL Exec. Director Marcellus TurnerFmr. JCPL Exec. Director William KnottFmr. Lakewood Mayor Steve BurkholderFmr. Representative Gwyn GreenDouglas Co. Lib. Director James LarueArapahoe Co. Lib. Director Eloise May

How Do We Get There?

• County Commissioners– By Resolution or Election– Library Board tried in 2008,

Commissioners refused– Unwilling to give up the “cash

cow”

• Voters and Taxpayers Petition

Petition

• Colorado Library Law gives taxpayers the right to petition for creation of district C.R.S. 24-90-107(3)

• We filed a petition in January with 1,300 signatures, more than ten times required number

Petition

• Library Law gives the commissioners two choices:– Create the district by resolution– Schedule it on the next general election

ballot

• Commissioners voted to exclude the entire County from the district, leaving no property and no voters, therefore no election

Petition

• We had no choice but to sue– Without a suit, Jeffco would never

have a library district– State-wide implications

• Lawsuit filed February 2011

Lawsuit Status

• If Court finds for County, there will be no district

• If Court finds for petitioners, County must:– Create library district by resolution, or– Schedule it for an election

• Lawsuit would be withdrawn if Commissioners comply with Colorado Library Law

District SolutionNot Just A Mill Levy

• District is a long-term funding solution that respects the will of the voters

• A temporary increase in the Library mill levy by the Commissioners is not a long-term solution

How You Can Help• Sign Statement of Support and

register for email updates at www.SaveJeffcoLibraries.org

• Email Commissioners at commish@jeffco.us

• Email Library Board atboard@jeffcolibrary.org

Tell them you want JCPL to become a library district

How You Can Help• Follow us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/SaveJeffcoLibraries

• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/savejeffcolib

• Ask your friends and family in Jeffco to support library district formation

• Be prepared to VOTE for formation of the Jeffco Library District

BOCC Letter to Library Board

November 23, 2009

Dear Library Trustees:

…As we have explained, we are considering shifting a portion of the library mill levy in order to meet this increase in demand on our social services programs. As you point out, the voters have approved a mill levy for the library of up to 3.5 mills. We are considering a reduction from last year’s 3.425 mills to 3.225 mills.  This reduction would allow us to address primary needs for food and shelter for our most vulnerable citizens.…Sincerely,BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERSJ. Kevin McCasky ChairmanFaye GriffinKathy Hartman

Library LawC.R.S 24-90-107(3)(d)

“Upon receipt of such petition, the legislative body or bodies shall either establish the library by resolution or ordinance, in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, or shall submit the question of the establishment of a public library to a vote of the registered electors…”