Becker opts not to veto tax hike for libraries

Mayor Ralph Becker won't close the book on a library tax hike after all.

The Salt Lake City mayor considered a veto of the 2010 library budget, which includes a property tax increase to fund two new west-side branches, before announcing Friday he would not block the funding proposal.

"Libraries are fundamentally important to the quality of life in our city and provide a center for discovery, learning and ideas," Becker said in a prepared statement. "The Glendale and West Capitol Hill neighborhoods, in particular, are in critical need of the resources that only a library can provide."

Nevertheless, Becker expressed concerns with how funding was approved.

"As mayor, I am obliged to consider the impacts of this kind of proposal in context of the overall budget and capital project financing environment, and my administration has not had adequate time to conduct such analysis," he said.

The mayor's decision came as welcome news to two communities that were promised their own branches nearly a decade ago, council members said.

"As a neighborhood, we're thrilled," said Councilman Eric Jergensen, who represents the Avenues and Capitol Hill. "These people have been paying for libraries for a long time, and they've never had one of their own. The library has been promised to them. It will be an incredible shot in the arm for this area."

Council members, who approved the budget in a 5-2 vote Tuesday, said they understood Becker's concerns about the project and would work together to address them as plans progress.

"It's not that any of us aren't for this project," Turner said. "It's just the economy and the timing of other issues. At the end of the day, we're all moving forward."

For Salt Lakers, the tax bump will cost an extra $7.80 annually on homes valued at $280,000 and an additional $50.95 on business property valued at $1 million.

But an opening date for the Glendale library is still some three years away. And major questions — including site selection, actual costs and alternative funding sources — have yet to be answered, Becker said in his statement.

Library director Beth Elder called Becker "an incredibly strong supporter of libraries," but she said library officials have hesitated to plan for the new branches without securing funding.

"Now it really makes it possible to go forward and engage the community fully," Elder said. "I really think the analysis that has gone on over the last couple days may have even strengthened the resolve of everyone to build these libraries and to do it in a very collaborative way."

As city leaders now look at site possibilities, library officials will begin to address the programming needs for the two west-side neighborhoods.

Elder said both neighborhoods need new libraries. The Chapman Library on the west side is too small for public meetings and has few public computers, while Marmalade residents have access problems with the Sweet and Main libraries.

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