Libraries win then lose

Supporters of a county-wide library tax district won big at the polls Tuesday, May 19, then saw their victory evaporate in the face of low voter turnout.

The proposed library district garnered 62 percent of the votes cast, but with less than 50 percent of registered voters turning out to cast their ballot, the measure fell short of the "double majority" requirement established by Measure 47/50 for tax elections.

Measure 53, which would have repealed the double majority requirement, was narrowly defeated.

"We're back to square one," said Sisters librarian Peg Bermel.

With the failure of the tax district, the library will run out of funds at the end of August; the libraries will shut down when the money runs out.

According to Bermel, who will carry on as Sisters Librarian, county library director Michael Gaston will probably try for an operating levy in the September 15 election.

The libraries will likely wait for another another time to seek a tax district.

A taxing district would give the libraries a stable, permanent and independent funding source.

Though disappointed at the results of the election, Bermel says the overwhelming passage of the library district is a positive sign.

"The community has really said they want to support the libraries," she said.

If the libraries seek a levy in September, library supporters will be faced with the chore of getting out the vote. Such an election would also require more than 50 percent turnout.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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