MISSION VIEJO : Library Allocation Juggled to Make Bonds, Grants Possible

The City Council this week eliminated nearly all of the $6 million set aside in the proposed city budget for library construction, leaving enough to complete the planning phase of the project.

Council members stressed that the cutback was an accounting function and won’t mean a delay in building the library.

“As far as I’m concerned, the library is still the No. 1 priority in the community,” said Councilwoman Susan Withrow. “We’re closer than ever to getting it built.” The council last month set aside the money to build the 25,000-square-foot library, to be situated at Marguerite Parkway and La Paz Road.

But city officials asked the council to change its decision, saying that leaving the full $6 million would damage the city’s chances of receiving a grant or issuing bonds for the library.

The council had no problem putting the money back into the general fund, and left $500,000 for planning work.

City officials told council members that they will issue a report on how to fund the library Aug. 28.

By August, city officials hope that a complicated land transaction will be completed that would partially pay for the library.

The deal would involve the sale of city land off Crown Valley Parkway to housing developers. The proceeds would defray the cost of building the library. The city would also use part of that money to buy a parcel adjoining the library site for a future city hall.