Voters Back Library Tax, Poll Shows

Ventura County voters would very likely support a library tax in November, provided the assessment is limited to 15 years or less, according to a countywide telephone survey released Wednesday.

Those who participated in the poll placed the importance of library services ahead of hiring more law enforcement officers, building a state university or slowing the rate of growth.

Of the 801 people interviewed, 56% said they would support a tax to raise $5.5 million a year to restore and maintain library services in the county.

But that figure jumped to 71% when respondents were later told that the money would specifically be used to buy new books, increase library hours, and support special children’s and after-school programs.

“We were very encouraged by this,” said Terry Dryer, an analyst in the county’s chief administrator’s office. “This shows how important it is to get the message out on how the library money would be used.”

County officials have said each parcel could be assessed $33 a year.

The consultant who conducted the survey suggested that the county consider dropping its plans to place the advisory assessment vote on the November ballot and instead hold a special advisory election March 4.

This would allow more time to educate the public and ensure that the library measure gets the full attention of the voters, said Dave Kaefer, an official with Godbe Research & Analysis of San Luis Obispo, which conducted the poll.

With the presidential election in November and 12 statewide initiatives on the ballot, Kaefer said, local measures would probably get lost in the shuffle.

“It’s difficult to communicate to people in a very cluttered election,” he said.

Besides, by holding off until the spring, the county would better its chances of securing a two-thirds majority approval, which may help shield a library assessment from potential legal challenges.

A taxpayers group has qualified a statewide initiative on the November ballot that could restrict county governments from assessing property owners for some services.

But whether this would affect the county’s library assessment is not clear. County attorneys are reviewing the initiative and plan to advise the Board of Supervisors on how best to proceed, officials said.

A major consideration in holding a special election would be the cost to the county, estimated at $350,000 to $425,000. But that could be reduced if other local issues are included on the ballot.

The cost could even drop to as low as $75,000 if the county follows the example of other jurisdictions and uses mail-in voting for its special election, officials said.

“We are looking into that,” Dryer said. “A couple of counties are doing this and it has really reduced their costs.”

Meanwhile, county officials said they were pleased with the results of the telephone poll, which was conducted between June 22 and 26. The survey, based on interviews with registered voters, has a margin of error between 2.08% and 3.46%.

“Even without the study, I predicted that people would support libraries,” Supervisor John K. Flynn said. “I really think the voters will go for it.”

Board Chairman Frank Schillo was also encouraged by the poll. But he agreed with Flynn that a sunset clause on the library tax is essential for its success.

“I think people want to see an end to something like this; they want to know that they’re not going to be taxed forever,” he said.

Both supervisors said a 10- or 15-year time frame would give the county an opportunity to come up with other sources of revenue for the library system, which lost half of its $10-million budget in 1993 because of state cutbacks.

The board will decide Tuesday whether to proceed with a benefit assessment vote in November or wait until March.

Schillo and Flynn said they had not made up their minds on the matter.

“I think the costs for a special election have to be considered,” Flynn said. “That might upset the voters.”

Regardless of when an election is held, it would only be an advisory vote. If the board decides to move forward with an assessment district after reviewing the election results, it would then seek formal approval from the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley and Ventura, which are served by the county library system.

Picking the Issues

In a poll of 801 Ventura County residents, respondents rated the issues most important to them. Here’s a summary of some of the top issues.

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Important Not Important * Improving quality of education 96% 35 * Preserving agricultural land 91% 8% * Restoring library hours 87% 11% * Adding law enforcement officers 80% 17% * Building a state university 68% 27%

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The poll, conducted June 22 to 26, has a margin of error between 2.06% and 3.46% at the 95% confidence level.

Source: Godbe Research & Analysis