Ojai Library Backers Rejoice; Search for Funds Begins Anew in Other Areas

While Ojai library supporters basked Wednesday in the victory of two tax initiatives designed to boost branch hours, library backers in other cities began making new plans after three similar bailout initiatives failed in Camarillo and Piru.

Dozens of leaders from various cities plan to meet Tuesday in Camarillo to discuss such ideas as forming a joint-powers authority and seeking a countywide ballot measure or assessment district to raise money for libraries.

“If city managers could see the possibility in a joint-powers authority and that there is a method of funding that would be accessible to the county to make it work, that is something I think would benefit all libraries,” Ventura library supporter Cherie Brant said.

With the official count still missing some absentee ballots, both Ojai measures cleared the 66.7% majority vote needed, which means homeowners have agreed to increase their annual property taxes by $35. Measure R in Ojai garnered 69.4% of the vote, while Measure U in the unincorporated areas ringing the city won 72.9%.

Together the measures will pump about $120,000 a year into Ojai’s library, keeping the branch open about 50 hours a week and adding more than $40,000 to its book-buying budget.

The win comes after two similar Ojai measures failed in November. Compared with the November turnout, about 1,000 more voters turned out Tuesday in Ojai, attributed by many to more extensive get-out-the-vote efforts and a ballot initiative that proposed opening a dump in Weldon Canyon.

In Camarillo, Measure P fell short of the required two-thirds majority with 57% of the vote. Measure V in the unincorporated areas surrounding that city netted 54.3% of the vote.

The two initiatives had proposed to raise annual homeowners’ taxes by $25.

The defeat did not surprise many in a city that has four times rejected a bond measure to pay for improvements in the Pleasant Valley School District.

Many campaign workers said they also believed Ojai succeeded where Camarillo failed because Ojai is a smaller community, making it easier for precinct walkers to get their message out to voters.

Although absentee ballots still need to be counted, Piru’s Measure W appeared Wednesday to have lost by the narrowest of margins, with 65.4% of voters favoring a $35 parcel tax.

Consequently, the Piru library could close at the end of June along with six other small neighborhood branches around the county.

The county’s library services agency has slashed its budget from $10 million to $5.8 million since 1992 because of state cutbacks. The agency may soon face another $1.5 million in cuts if temporary revenues dry up.

In response to the crisis, Supervisor Frank Schillo has met with city managers and library officials to drum up support for a countywide library federation. Schillo has also organized a meeting for April 8 to discuss pursuing a $10-million state pilot project for partnerships between schools and libraries.