HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 04-002
RESOLUTION 04-002
Measure B - A Ballot Measure to Coutiuue Support
For Santa Clara County Libraries
WHEREAS, lifelong learning and literacy are an important component of a healthy
community, and libraries play an important role in their delivery; and
WHEREAS, voters overwhelmingly approved the 1994 ballot measure to restore hours,
books and services at local libraries; and
WHEREAS, this measure put in place a lO-year funding mechanism that has provided
approximately 21% of the overall library budget, or $5_3 million annually, to libraries in Campbell,
Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Monte Sereno, Saratoga,
and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County; and
WHEREAS, Santa Clara County libraries face an uncertain future, with demand for
service increasing, at a time when cities and counties are facing past and future budget cuts, and
the funding provided for libraries by Measure A expires in June, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the expiration of funding through Measure A will mean a loss of $5.3
million annually to local libraries, necessitating cuts to library services of 21 %; and
WHEREAS, reducing library funding by 21 % will mean dosing libraries an additional one
or two days a week, induding Sundays; reducing books and materials budgets by nearly
$700,000; and reducing or eliminating story hours for children, research services for students and
businesses, and adult literacy efforts; and
WHEREAS, Measure B will appear on the March 2, 2004 ballot in Santa Clara County
that will ask voters to continue funding our community library system by continuing the current
assessment benefiting libraries with a slight increase; and
WHEREAS, these funds can only be used for library services. all money raised within a
city will be returned to that city to fund its community library, and the funding automatically
expires after 7 years; and
WHEREAS, this measure will appear on the March 2, 2004 ballot as Measure B, and, if
approved by Santa Clara County voters, will provide funding to prevent serious reductions in
hours, books and services at our local libraries.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SARATOGA endorses Measure B on the March 2,2004 ballot, encourages voters in the City of
Saratoga to vote in favor of this measure and directs the City Clerk to forward a copy of this
Resolution at the earliest possible date after its adoption to the Measure B campaign
headquarters.
The above and foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga
City Council held on the 7th day ofJanuary 2004, by the following vote:
AYES:
Councilmembers Stan Bogosian, Norman Kline, Nick Streit
Vice Mayor Kathleen King, Mayor Ann Waltonsmith
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
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Ann Waltonsmith, Mayor
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City Clerk