Grants Pass

04-20-2006 07:42 PM

Library supporters say they have enough signatures to qualify for ballot
8,100 signatures have been gathered so far

By TIM BURLESON

GRANTS PASS, OR - The proposed library district will apparently have its day with the voters.

Cessa Vichi, on behalf of a group calling themselves the Real Library Committee, announced today that over 8,100 signatures have been obtained.

Vichi says that signature gathering will continue to meet a goal of 10,000 because a "broad safety margin is necessary. We don’t want to take the chance of falling short of valid signatures." Signature sheets still must be turned in to the County Clerk and signatures are subject to validation before they are deemed valid.

In an email to volunteers and supporters, Vichi wrote today, "Your belief in libraries, your investing of time and energy in our community and your support of the team has been commendable."

The proposed library district would have the same boundary as Josephine County and would initially assess a property tax rate of 55 cents per thousand on property's assessed value. The property tax on a property with an assessed value of $250,000 would be $137.50.

Under Oregon law, a library district is a municipal corporation and an independent public entity that would function separate from city and county governments. A library district may be created by an initiative petition process. Vichi said to qualify for the ballot, 7,500 signatures (15% of the electors in the proposed territory) must be obtained.

If the library district is certified by the County Clerk, it will be voted on by Josephine County voters during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006.

Reach reporter Tim Burleson at 761-0195 or tim@grantspassclimate.com

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