Be part of decision regarding library

I invite you to fight for what you already own and your current taxes support — the Valley library. And also for some true representation from the City Council.

Spokane Valley library patrons are increasingly frustrated over the possibility of our library services being contracted out to a nonlocal company, instead of annexation with the Spokane County Library District. The SCLD is an independent entity not governed by Spokane County.

The Spokane Valley City Council says it’s evaluating contracting to find the best, most cost-effective service.

We’re allowed to vote on the future of our fire protection services since they’re annexed to two different districts and the city is further along in this issue. But we have no vote on library services, as our 2004 contract with SCLD ends in December and a choice must be made soon. The council alone will determine this.

If the council chooses annexation to SCLD, we’ll be allowed a vote on that. We can vote on annexation but not privatization? This is curious.

The council’s decision affects not only 83,950 city residents in the dissolution of our library, but also 226,285 other residents served by SCLD, who face a 30 percent reduction in services across the board. It impacts almost half a million people and we have no final say in the matter.

I’ve learned something very disturbing. The vote on privatization will be made before a full analysis is done of all long-term capital needs. Only after a service provider is chosen will a study be done on the costs of expanding the existing building, if purchased, or providing a new one.

They’re making this important and far-reaching decision without evaluating all the projected costs beforehand? This is both stunning and alarming.

The city was incorporated on overinflated projections. As a result, revenues, including sales taxes, are inadequate, and we must vote in September to restore property taxes to pre-incorporation levels. The changed and unforeseeable future financial picture has forced the council to delay plans for a new City Hall home for several years.

So it’s appalling that the council is even considering signing a privatization contract for library services without having in advance all the information it needs to accurately project costs.

I don’t consider it good representation if the council isn’t taking the time necessary to fully explore all cost angles. I don’t want any more unhappy taxation surprises. Do you?

What’s the big rush?

Since the city can contract yearly with SCLD, it seems most sensible to contract with the district again for 2005, allowing time to thoroughly study every option and its possible costs.

It’s not uncommon for the most carefully planned project to encounter cost overruns. And since privatization doesn’t always succeed, it is at this time a risk for our city and others who will be affected.

I still vehemently oppose contracting with an out of state, for-profit company whose main concern is the bottom line, with us simply another spoke in their national wheel. Our tax money goes into their community, not ours, a serious loss.

On such a crucial issue, I believe we taxpayers are due further research and a vote on privatization as well as annexation.

Because the library belongs to all of us.

Starting Tuesday, the library issue will be on several council meeting agendas, with opportunity for comment. Meeting agendas are on the city’s Web site, or you can call City Hall at 921-1000. The council will invite public input, offer the proposals for public scrutiny and vote in the fall.

What can you do?

The council wants to hear from you. Be sure to express your opinion. Attend one or more council meetings and speak up; write or e-mail the council. Write letters to the editor at The Spokesman-Review or Valley Voice. Spread the word about this issue and encourage others to speak out.

Require true representation by insisting the council have all financial projections in hand before voting to sign any contracts. Ask for a vote on privatization. It’s possible we can change the council’s mind on this.

Because we won’t have this opportunity again.

Be a squeaky wheel impossible to ignore. Make your opinion count.