Supervisors Delay Library Tax Action

Ventura County supervisors on Tuesday postponed acting on establishing an annual parcel tax to help pay for library services.

The delay effectively kills any remaining hopes of placing an advisory vote on the proposed benefit assessment district on the November ballot because of time constraints, officials said.

Encouraged by the results of a library poll, the supervisors voted 4 to 1 last week to bypass an advisory election and to approve, in concept, a library assessment--which could range from $30 to $35 a parcel. The action was contingent on the approval of the six cities that are part of the county library system.

The supervisors last week also asked for more detailed information on exactly how the assessment would be implemented before taking a final vote--scheduled for Tuesday--to send the proposal on to the cities for consideration.

In the interim, Chairman Frank Schillo decided to withdraw his support for the library assessment because of concerns that it might be challenged in court. He said he preferred to place a library tax on the ballot sometime next year.

As a result, Supervisor Maggie Kildee on Tuesday requested that the board delay action until next week. Kildee said the delay would allow Supervisor John Flynn, a key supporter of the library assessment who is away on a trip to Washington, D.C., to vote on the proposal.