Pomona library board recommends city place tax measure on November ballot

POMONA >> Members of the Pomona Public Library Board of Trustees this week voted to forward a recommendation to the City Council calling for placement of a measure on the November ballot to raise money for the library’s operations.

The recommendation calls for placing a parcel tax measure that will ask voters to pay $42 a year to generate about $1.2 million annually for the library.

Board members voted 3-1 in support of the recommendation with board members Jacqueline Macias and Helen Mosier abstaining. Board member Eunice Russell was not present at the meeting.

Board member Mike Suarez cast the no vote. He argued in favor of a $38 parcel tax, saying that seeking more would deter voters from supporting a measure.

“A few dollars makes a difference,” Suarez said at Wednesday’s meeting. “We have a large population that is struggling.”

Board members voted on recommendations of a $38 and $40 yearly tax, but both failed.

A difference of $4 is not significant enough to sway a voter, said John Clifford, an active member of Save Our Pomona Public Library, also known as SOPPL, and president of the Pomona Public Library Foundation.

SOPPL’s research and discussions with a campaign strategist indicate the library itself is what will sway a voter, he said.

“They either like the library and want to see it supported or they don’t,” Clifford said.

Board members voted after receiving a report from a committee of the board who met with SOPPL members. SOPPL brought the proposal to the board in March.

The proposal is similar to what SOPPL sought two years ago.

In 2012, SOPPL mounted a campaign to approve Measure X.

SOPPL came together as a result of city budget cuts that resulted in significant reductions in library services.

SOPPL had three months to campaign and were able to convince about 60 percent of those who voted to support the measure. The measure, however, needed a two-thirds majority to pass and it failed to reach that threshold.

Measure X and the current proposal have some differences.

Measure X sought a $38 annual parcel tax, had no sunset, and called for cost of living increases.

This version seeks a $42 annual parcel tax, has a life of 10 years, does not have provisions for cost of living increases, and calls for the library trustees to serve as an oversight board.

Board member Jacqueline Macias recommended supporting language be included with the recommendation going to the City Council.

The language says if a measure is approved the City Council must continue to provide general fund dollars for the library’s operation.

If the city eliminates or reduces funding below what is generated by the parcel tax the city will not be able to collect the tax.

However, if the city makes cuts to all departments with the exception of public safety, the library could be cut by the same percentage as the other departments.

Deputy City Manager Mark Gluba said the proposal is expected to go to the City Council June 16.

Once the proposal goes to the City Council, SOPPL “will be prepared to make an argument before the council” in support of a measure, Clifford said.

If voters approve a parcel tax, it would generate enough to serve as a reasonable starting point to begin improving library operations, Clifford said.

Pomona’s library is severely underfunded in comparison with those in the surrounding cities, he said.

Suarez said approving a tax measure would make it possible to increase staffing, hours of service and programming.

That would lead to “having a library that is functional to people who use it,” Suarez said.

If the council does choose to place a measure on the ballot, a great deal of work will be needed to get voters to support it.

“We have to work super hard to get the initiative passed,” Suarez said Thursday. If the measure is passed by voters, “this will solve the financial problems of the library.”

Some people will be opposed to a measure to raise money for the library or any other tax, Suarez said. But the point has to be made to them that the library is a critical resource.

“To have a strong city you have to have a reliable library,” Suarez said.

About the Author

Monica Rodriguez

Monica covers the city of Pomona. Reach the author at monica.rodriguez@langnews.com or follow Monica on Twitter: @PomonaNow.
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