BUENA PARK : Library District OK as Is, Study Finds

A consultant has recommended that the Buena Park Library District remain independent after concluding that a merger with either the city or the county would not save a significant amount of money.

If the library were merged with the city, the consultant said, only minimal cost savings would result and it would not generate new revenue.

The consultant also reported that consolidating with the county’s public library system would not “improve the library district’s short- or long-term financial prospects.”

At the same time, the study, prepared by BSI Consultants Inc. of San Diego, found that current library revenue is not sufficient to cover expected spending next year.

The report recommended that the library district find ways to generate additional revenue so it could maintain its current level of service.

In previous years, budget shortfalls have been offset by spending the surplus from the previous year’s budget, said library director Colleen McGregor.

But the study found that in three years, the library will not have a surplus sufficient to continue covering state revenue losses.

The library district, founded in 1919, receives 85% of its funding from property taxes.

But in the past two years, the library has faced declining revenue due to state property tax shifts, forcing the library to cut back some services.

Trustees were expected to discuss the report at last week’s meeting, but the session was postponed to May 4 because the consultant was unable to attend.

The board in September hired the consultant for $10,000, with the funds provided by the nonprofit Friends of the Library.

Trustee Robert Niccum said that “it’s certainly good news to read in the report that the current way the district is organized as a special district is the best way at the current time to be providing services to the community.”

But Niccum added that because of continued revenue losses, he is concerned about the district’s ability to maintain services at the present level.