Library bond issue not well received by county

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001 | 11:25 a.m.

When representatives of the Clark County-Las Vegas Library District presented a plan for new libraries to Clark County commissioners Tuesday, it was immediately clear the two sides were not on the same page.

The district is seeking a $73 million bond issue to build six libraries; commissioners said the money should be reserved for potential crises the Las Vegas Valley might soon face.

While commissioners' concerns didn't close the book on the project, they severely crippled it.

Commissioner Myrna Williams was most outspoken about the poor timing of the bond request. The Clark County Commission didn't vote on the issue, but Williams is the chairwoman of the Debt Management Commission -- the board that decides whether to place bond issue requests on the ballot.

"It's painful for me to say because I'm a library fan and a reader, but I can't think of a worse time to ask for the bond," Williams said. "We're looking for a solution for an energy crisis."

Library District representatives hope they receive a more positive response from the Las Vegas City Council, which will hear their presentation today.

Lamar Marchese, a library board member, said the entire project -- which would ultimately cost $80 million -- would pay for six new fully equipped libraries and renovate existing facilities.

Marchese's attempt to convince the commission to allow voters to have a say in the matter during June's municipal election was heavily opposed. Commissioners said residents might not understand the consequences and complexities of such a bond.

The general obligation library bond issue would raise property taxes and therefore affect tax rate caps throughout the valley.

State law sets the tax rate cap at $3.64 per $100 in assessed property value. Government entities try not to exceed 90 percent of that figure so they can reserve funds for emergencies such as public safety needs.

Some county entities, especially rural tax districts, are already above the 90 percent mark. Williams said the money might be needed to add police and fire equipment to growing areas or help with possible energy shortages.

"People would be voting on an emotional issue, an intellectual issue and not an issue they totally understand," Williams said.

Marchese said he understood the county must balance its priorities, but he still believes the taxpayers should be given the opportunity to ferret out the issues and vote on the bond.

"You can only spend the money once; obviously it's the voters' choice whether or not to tax themselves," he said. "I'm a little disappointed there wasn't more support for this."

The district proposed building libraries at Durango Drive and Tropical Parkway, at Sunrise Acres, in Lone Mountain West, in Summerlin South, at Compass Point near Windmill and Rainbow and in Mesquite.

The last bond issue for the libraries came in 1991, and the last library built was in 1997. Representatives said they never anticipated computer technology to advance as quickly as it did, and Internet services were an unexpected expense.

District officials said libraries serve about a 2 1/2-mile radius, and residents in newer neighborhoods pay taxes but don't have any libraries near them.

Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates said the newer libraries that she visits are rarely busy. Board members questioned whether more people are using the Internet for research rather than visiting the library.

Dan Walters, the library's executive director, and Marchese assured them that wasn't the case. They argued that libraries are an integral part of a community and just as essential as schools.

"All these technical issues are ones we're concerned about, but they won't make libraries obsolete," Marchese said.

County officials are exploring alternatives to spending millions on new libraries. They suggested the district explore partnering with area schools.