Library district scales back request

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001 | 9:26 a.m.

A scaled down edition of the Clark County-Las Vegas Library District's proposal to build more libraries throughout the valley will be pitched to the county's Debt Management Commission on Thursday.

Rather than asking for a $74 million bond to construct six new buildings, the district will ask commissioners to approve a $46.5 million bond issue to cover the cost of four libraries.

The district opted to reduce their project after local government officials voiced concerns that the bond issue would push certain jurisdictions into the "red zone" of the state tax cap.

Each government entity tries to stay below 90 percent of the state's cap, which is $3.64 per $100 assessed valuation of a home.

The most outspoken officials opposed to the initial plan -- Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald and Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams -- both sit on the debt management board.

Should the Debt Management Commission approve the bond issue, it will be placed on the municipal ballot in June.

Along with the bond issue, local governments would levy a special elective tax of up to two cents per $100 assessed valuation over a 30-year period.

The elective tax, also known as the override, will be used to pay for operating, maintaining, improving, acquiring, constructing and equipping the libraries.

If the bond issue is approved, it will be the first for the library district since 1991. Library officials have argued that some neighborhoods in which residents pay taxes that fund new facilities have no library within 2 miles of their homes.

The district plans to build new libraries in eastern Las Vegas, one at Compass Point in the southwest, one in the northwest and another in Mesquite.