Voters to Decide on Library Services Tax

Ventura County residents who live in the unincorporated areas around Ventura and Ojai will be allowed to decide whether they want to tax themselves to help pay for library services, county supervisors agreed Tuesday.

The board decided to place a measure on the ballot in November that would levy a $35 parcel tax on every property owner in the area. The election would coincide with similar elections in the cities of Ventura and Ojai.

Lacey said she proposed putting the parcel tax measure on the ballot at the same time to reduce county election costs.

Faced with a mounting budget deficit, county officials have said that they will only be able to contribute about half of the $1.6 million needed to keep all of the county’s 16 libraries open this year. Seven branches are targeted to close, including Oak View, Saticoy and Meiners Oaks libraries--all located in the unincorporated area that would be covered by the ballot measure.

Meanwhile, Supervisor Frank Schillo said Tuesday that he is working with county officials to come up with the necessary funding to keep all of the county’s libraries opened this year.

He suggested that the county may be able to lower overhead costs charged to the Library Services Agency for certain services, such as personnel or legal counsel. He said this could possibly free up more money for libraries.

But Schillo said this would only be a temporary measure. He said the county still needs to develop a more stable funding source for libraries.