Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Pasco takes library issue to attorney general

By Kristi Pihl, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Negotiations between Pasco and Mid-Columbia Libraries are on hold while they wait for an opinion from the state attorney general.

The city has been looking for ways to cut the cost of library services, including negotiating a new rate from the library district or starting its own library.

Starting from scratch isn't really an option the city wants to pursue, City Manager Gary Crutchfield told the Herald this week.

"There is no question it would be a different service level," he said.

However, Crutchfield said, if it's all the city can afford, Pasco will have to consider it.

Pasco's contract with the library district, which serves nearly 204,000 people in Benton, Franklin and part of Adams counties, ends in 2010.

In 2011, the city would likely pay the library district $1.3 million under the current funding formula, according to a consultant hired by the city last year.

If city operates its own library, the cost would be about $1.1 million.

The district and the city want an opinion from the attorney general on whether the district can provide reduced services at a lower rate. The request was made last week.

Currently the district provides the same level of services to all residents in the district's boundaries, said Kyle Cox, Mid-Columbia Libraries administrative services director.

"This is an unusual situation," he said of the city's request.

The question boils down to whether the city can pick and choose services and negotiate a rate based on those services rather than receiving a blanket service and rate, Crutchfield said.

Unless the formula used to determine the fee changes, Pasco can't afford to stay in the library system, he said. Currently, the amount is tied to the district's levy rate and the city's annual assessed value.

As the city's assessed value has rapidly increased, so has its fee to the library district, he said.

However, the city still has just one library building to serve an estimated 54,500 people, as well as some rural residents.

By comparison, Kennewick has two branches for 67,000 residents. Richland operates its own library.

In annexed areas, like Kennewick, residents directly pay the levy rate through their property taxes. With contracted cities, like Pasco, the city pays the library using the levy rate calculation.

This year, Pasco's assessed value increased by $58 million, which at the levy rate of 42 cents per $1,000, amounts to an increase of $24,360. Pasco will pay about $1.3 million to the district in 2010.

The only reason Pasco looked into operating its own library was the economic factor, said Pasco Councilman Bob Hoffmann.

Fire and police are essential services that can't be negotiated while library services can, he said.

Hoffmann said he hopes that the district and city can reach an agreement.

All cities pay the same rate to the district, Cox said. The district's levy rate is what residents in annexed cities and unincorporated areas pay. The contract fee for cities is based on the same levy rate and the city's assessed value for the year.

"It's an issue of equity," he said.

The library district has not raised its rate, Cox said. In fact, the levy rate has decreased in recent years, though property values have climbed.

He said the increase in assessed value has added revenue for all government agencies that receive property tax money, including the city and the library district.

By belonging to the district, Pasco residents have access to more than 400,000 books and materials, Cox said. The Pasco library, which recently underwent a $380,000 remodel, only has room for a collection of about 62,000 books and materials.

In studies that the city has paid for, residents have said they want expanded library service in Pasco, including adding a new library branch in west Pasco, where the city has seen it's greatest growth in recent years.

The district would like to continue the positive relationship it has had with the city for the last 30 years, Cox said.

The attorney general's opinion on the rate issue is expected in one to two months.