Thread by @shayshinecastle

#Bouder city council meeting starting early, but the real show doesn't begin until 6:30 when the BoCo Commissioners join for a public hearing on forming a library district.

I believe Mayor Brockett said there were 135 people signed up for the public hearing, so that's.... a long ass time. Might not tweet much of that either.

But I *will* tweet council's discussion and vote.

The Commissioners won't vote tonight; they'll do that on their own April 7.

As in Thursday.

What will council vote on tonight? Forming a library district. At least on paper: Voters will still have to OK a property tax for it.

A recent poll suggest that's likely to pass. But that remains to be seen until November.

Library district co-public hearing starting now. Here is the presentation covering the last 4(!) years of process, plus what we're doing tonight. documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocVie…

Library director David Farnan: There are a couple critical elements to discuss tonight, including the district boundaries and what level the mill levy will be at.

The advisory group that made recommendation did NOT suggest specific boundaries, but thought they should follow voting precincts (to make it easier) and include as many library card holders as possible (along with some other things, like not including other municipalities)

The new proposed map looks like this: Revisions include taking out Jamestown

This was a city staff recommendation, after chatting with Jamestown officials. That precinct represents less than 1% of registered voters (and revenue) in the proposed district, Farnan says.

This boundary matters not only bc that's who will be served by this library (though really anyone can use it) but bc that's who will be paying the tax, if passed.

I believe the boundaries (and the tax amount, for that matter) are up to the district trustees (who will be appointed if council forms a district) but council might want more things set in stone before voting to form one. We shall see.

Farnan going over what it costs to run the library. Current budget is $9.18M, but next year the NoBo branch will open, and it needs money
Plus $~3.6 in overhead (which the city pays for but isn't broken out by dept; stuff like HR, city attorneys, finance systems, etc.)...

Then $1M/yr to maintain assets and buildings, plus the $1.3M/yr in maintenance *backlog* and the pre-pandemic cuts that haven't been restored ($0.7M/yr)

All told: $16.78M a year to run the library we have kind of as-is; or at least pre-pandemic as-is.

With $20M/yr (which the district might go for) would include Gunbarrel and Niwot branches (eventually), reopening the Canyon Theater and Carnegie branches, and some more programs/services.

How does that translate to a potential property tax? That's tricky, bc we discuss these in terms of mills.

Here's a little list in mills. We'll offer a translation to dollars later.

The advisory committee recommended going up to 3.8 mills on the property tax for the district. UP TO — that does not mean it will necessarily be that. Again, that's TBD.

Quoting myself, 3.8 mills "would add around $200 per year to the property taxes for a home worth $850,000 within city limits. County residents would pay slightly more; around $230 annually." boulderbeat.news/2022/01/28/lib…

Commercial properties, of course, would pay quite a bit more.

Which is why we've seen concern from the biz community.

From the Chamber: "It is important to understand that commercial property is assessed at four times the rate of residential property, so any mill levy increase will cost businesses roughly four times more than residential property owners pay. ...

...While a 3.8 to 3.2 mill levy increase requires hundreds of dollars a year for the average residential home, it requires thousands of dollars a year from the average commercial property tenant."

Commissioner Marta Loachamin: Why was Jamestown removed from the proposed boundary? And when do you plan to check in with Niwot and see if they will be included or not?

Chris Meschuk: Jamestown wasn't adequately engaged in those conversations, so we left them out.

"There really hasn't been a lot of engagement with the town of Jamestown, which is another gov't entity that would overlay" with the district, Meschuk says.

RE: Niwot: Farnan says there have been "ongoing community meetings," including a poll.

Again, council and the county commissioners can set the boundary wherever they want

Commissioner Claire Levy: Some of our constituents are asking us to vote no on this, but I understand we either pass this resolution or it happens by petition. Is there a third way?

One in which it can be studied and workshopped more, Levy asks, including exploring other funding scenarios.

Farnan: I've been in memos or in front of council 16 times since the summer of 2018 on this subject, including alternative funding scenarios. There have been three polls.

A district was the funding recommendation from the library board.

Levy: "That wasn't my question. One way or another, this is going forward" either by petition or resolution.

I'm looking for confirmation that what some community members are asking for — more time and discussion — is not really an option at this point, Levy says.

Gehr: Yes, I would agree with how you just characterized it. Under the law, it's "incredibly easy" to form a district by petition — it requires just 100 signatures.

And we were already there in 2020. The city asked petitioners to withdraw, and promised they would seriously study library funding and/or a district.

Levy: I think it's important for the community to understand we only have so much control here. For those hoping this won't go forward, that's not realistic.

Levy: The financial study that was done on this (in 2019), those numbers aren't really accurate any more bc property values are going up so much. So the 3.8 mills will bring in more than that study found, and escalate pretty rapidly. Can we consider a lower mill levy?

"Property values have gone up 16% within the district," Levy says.

Farnan: Yes. I believe there is some flexibility. But also we incorporated higher property values into our calculations. "Is there room to adjust the mill levy? Yes. How much, I can't say until you guys approve a map."

Levy: "My q is a little more complicated than that. What would be a starting revenue that would allow community demand to be met, with the understanding that property values (and therefore district revenue) will increase?"

And, as she said earlier, it will take time for the library to establish some of these services (like Gunbarrel and Niwot branches) so it won't need the $$ right away.

"I'm looking for ways to make this more affordable for people," Levy says.

Levy also concerned about accountability for taxpayers: It seems like the only powers elected officials have is to approve or remove for cause trustees of the district. How else can we make sure taxpayers are getting what they pay for?

Gehr: That's accurate. That's all the laws allow for, but districts in Colorado are all governed this same way, "with great success."

Speer: How does the 3.8 mills compare to what other library districts do? Isn't Nederland's like 6 mills?

Farnan: That's not how we arrived at 3.8 mills
Speer: No, no. That was very clear.

(They studied what it would cost to meet the service vision in their master plan and that's how they got at up to 3.8)

Farnan: "3.8 is not at the higher end, but it is adequate to the costs that we've predicted would be there."
Ned is 6, Arapahoe is 5.8, Douglas is 4

Speer: If we don't do this by resolution, do we as council and commissioners lose our control over where the mill levy is set?

"This is our chance to have a say."

That depends, Farnan says. CC and commissioners still have to establish a district and therefore have *some* say, even if it's formed by petition.

"It would probably initiate this process over again."

GOOD LORD, NO!

Speer asking about another program that the district would start (but which is unfunded under current city budget and control): A pilot program for outreach to the Latinx community and other under-served populations who can't regularly attend program AT the library.

They are place-based; the programs travel to dif sites like mobile home parks, BHP properties, schools, etc. It's early literacy programming, Farnan says. "A lot of programs" were running pre-pandemic; all were cut, and funding not yet restored.

Wallach: How many city dept are being funded at the "vision" level of their master plans? (As 3.8 mills would do for the library)

Meschuk: Vast majority of dept are at "current funding" level. A couple are working on "action plan" levels of funding, but "very few" that are funded at the full vision level. "We're balancing our services across the city."

For those of you who don't know, every dept does a master plan, and they lay out three levels for funding:
Maintaining current levels
Getting a bit more to tackle key items/projects (action)
And funding for everything citizens have said they want and need (vision)

Wallach: How many residents in CO live under a library district? (There are 57 library districts in CO)

Farnan: Roughly 60% of cardholders are served by a district. 5 municipalities above 100K don't have a district: Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Aurora, Westminster

Farnan: Denver and Longmont also discussing a district. Aurora tried one in 2008; it was unsuccessful and they haven't tried again.

Q from Joseph gets this response from Mescuk: Council and commissioners can set a mill levy cap above which the district cannot go when it asks voters for $$

Joseph: If we pick a lower mill levy, what would we be giving up?

Farnan: You'd have to make that decision. All those services — outreach, Niwot and Gunbarrel branches, Carnegie, etc — are within your purview to decide what you want and want to pay for.

Friend following up on Levy's accountability concerns: Doesn't the library have some reporting requirements?

Farnan: A financial report and annual report are both required be given to city and county.

Friend: Are there any safeguards for the unlikely scenario where the library becomes extravagantly over-funded, bc property values escalate so much?

Farnan: That's happened twice in Colorado, and the districts just didn't collect taxes the year after their revenues exceeded the budget. That was bc of oil and gas $$.

Gehr: Your control is who you put on the library board of trustees.

Commissioner Matt Jones: The county's role is driven by state law. I'm not sure how I'm going to vote. This is really easy to put on the ballot, so my consideration is what do we want to make sure is in the agreement.

Jones: I don't want to include the one voting precinct with Marshall Fire victims. That doesn't feel right to raise their property taxes. Can we remove them from the boundaries?

Yes, is essentially the area. As Farnan said earlier, that one precinct is less than 1% of users and revenue.

Jones: This is odd bc the council votes, then the commissioners vote on what the council passed. We don't really have control. What if we don't agree on the terms?

Gehr and Meschuk: Then we would be at a standstill.

There can be some negotiation, but the council and commissioners need to agree or it goes nowhere.

Folkerts: How long do we have to come to an agreement if we want this on the 2022 ballot?
Gehr: Early summer

Actually, May, bc there's a deadline related to property tax collection.

Yates with an important clarifying question: If council/commissioners don't form a district by resolution, a petition doesn't *automatically* form a district — it puts the question to voters.

We are moving into the public hearing. 115 people have signed up: 2 min each, so almost 4 hours.

I will not be tweeting 99% of this. I have other work to do and tbh, I've heard enough over 4 yrs. Sorry, not sorry.

Plus I've got these lovely dogs I'm sitting for that I need to walk.

But I'll keep rough track of folks' arguments for my Boulder Weekly council recap column this week. (And KGNU interview tomorrow a.m. at 8:10)

Timothy Williams, president of Boulder Library Foundation: Council nay-sayers have just said no after "years and years of debates and negotiation." Where are your solutions? What are you bringing to the table other than obfuscation?

Ofc here I am tweeting. But some of this is new stuff!

Eric Nudelman - uses maker space that is “grossly under-funded” and open only 3 days/week. “Where else in the world can we have free access to 3D printers, a full wood workshop, an electronics lab, a C&C machine” and more?

About 17 speakers in and our first opponent to the district! Gary Urling: "The reason Boulder has a poor library ... is a problem with our council having other priorities."

"Everybody should pay for a library" including CU and BHP.

He was displeased bc those organizations are tax exempt, so they won't be paying in (therefore increasing the burden on homeowners and biz, I presume was the end of that thought, but Gary ran out of time).

Second opponent: Neal Anderson, from Niwot. Has a library card for Boulder but he hasn't used it in 15 years. He goes to Longmont, where he doesn't have to fight traffic, and parking is ample and free.

Niwot is outnumbered by Boulder residents, who will determine if residents in Niwot pay a tax, Anderson says. That's fundamentally unfair, and deprives Longmont of future district users and revenue.

We're up to 3 opponents so far, and roughly 30 supporters.

Joanne Sullivan: Tonight's decision is not about OK'ing a library district. It's allowing voters to decide. Let me vote.

Sharon Collinge from Niwot, supports a district. "We talk the talk about diversity and inclusion, and I would argue that libraries are the most inclusive space in our community.”

James Ruger: The library should be the city's responsibility. It has a $462M budget; it should give the library more money.

Miho Shida wins for shortest comment, and also coolest name. Some first/last name combos are just... poetry.

“It’s hard to speak against the library district, bc you sound like you’re against the library.” - Linda Quigley

Yes, I'm still here. By my count we're about halfway through the speakers. Cannot believe we have to do council deliberation after this still.

Diane Connolly - "My life isn’t funded at the vision level.”

Same, Diane. Same.

Opponents have really turned out in the past hour or so. It's about 40/60 opponents to supports of the district.

Early on it was like 90/10

Rydge Rath is a close second for favorite name tonight.

Maximilian Knight also in the running.

David Limbach, from Niwot, sharing results of a community survey of residents there. 111 folks, 40% had Longmont library card; 7% had Boulder library card.

Longmont cardholders were more frequent users (33% in the last mont) than Boulder cardholders (6%).

84% of respondents were not in favor of the property tax increase for a district
16% were in favor

45% said they would not support a tax increase for a library district, of any amount

61% did not want to be part of a Boulder OR Longmont library district; 39% did.

But if they had to choose, 87% would prefer Longmont to Boulder (13%)

Important note on those results (from the PR person for the library district advocates, just FYI)

https://twitter.com/curtishubbard/status/1511570233642811400

Jane Sykes Wilson (a library district advocate): 2 councils have considered this, and 4 library commissions. We had an advisory committee study this.

We looked for alternative funding options. None were found. Let the community decide.

2018 library master plan also recommended a district

OMG WE'RE DONE WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.

According to my count, roughly 65/35 in favor vs. opposed to district, with another 21% of speakers dropping out bc this took SO LONG.

Of course, as Andy Sayler said earlier, this process is not representative, as it includes only those with the privilege of having 5 hours of availability to sit on a Zoom call.

Of all the privileges I enjoy, this is my least favorite.

We're not DONE done. Gonna hear last thoughts/ questions from BoCo commissioners before they depart for the "evening."

Reminder: Their deliberation/vote is Thursday. And no, I will not be watching. Relying on the Camera for that. (Sorry, Deb!)

Commissioner Loachamin: How would Niwot residents ensure they get a branch, if this district is established?

Farnan: The library board of trustees could include that in ballot language for the property tax. Then that would be their commitment.

Levy asks again about a lower mill levy rate, given how much property values (and therefore taxes) have increased.

Meschuk: The only way to guarantee a branch library for specific communities is to write it into the ballot language.

Farnan: If you approve up to 3.8 mills, there are adequate funds to open branches in Gunbarrel or Niwot, and there is no reason they wouldn't

If you approve up to 3.4 mills, that may not be enough for those branches, but they would decide what services to do and which not to.

Loachamin: "I feel like I'm 5 hours from now with the same question." What can we guarantee voters they will be voting on?

Levy: Would there be, in the ballot language, in addition to the tax question, a list of services and facilities to be funded by a district, so that there is some level of accountability?

Gehr: It could be. Boulder does that routinely.

Commissioners are peacing out; we're still going.

If we don't finish this meeting tonight, it will be picked up next Tuesday.

OMG I sat through all this and no decision! This is bullshit.

How I'm going to wring 750 words out of this for the Weekly tomorrow, I have no idea.

Wallach votes for finishing this up next week

"It's ridiculous to be making decisions at midnight," Wallach says.

It's important to give the community the opportunity to see us articulate our views.

6 council members — the ones who will likely support the district — vote to finish this up tonight. So we shall.

Can't say I'm glad, but I'm slightly less grumpy than if they stretched this out to another night.

Benjamin: What specifically do we need to decide for the resolution?

Brockett: The text of the resolution includes a cap on the maximum mill levy — that's the most they can do, not what they have to — and the district boundary

Some finagling so they can get likely agreement with county commissioners.

Friend, like commissioner Loachamin, doesn't want to carve out the voting precinct that includes some Marshall Fire victims.

Presumably, she says, by the time this district is formed, they will have rebuilt. Plus we've had a couple apartment fires in Boulder, and we're not exempting them. That doesn't seem equitable.

Benjamin would be OK leaving out Niwot, since they might be more in favor of joining Longmont's eventual district.

Would also leave in Marshall Fire area. "I'm thinking about the tax base 20-30 years from now."

Winer also OK leaving Niwot out.

Brockett: I'm open to running a rebate program from the city for Marshall Fire survivors for a couple years, if that's a sticking point for the BoCo commissioners.

And would follow the lead of the commissioners on Niwot.

So boundaries will not include Jamestown, likely not Niwot (but that's up to commissioners) but will include Marshall Fire victims (who may get rebates for a few years, courtesy of the city of Boulder; the district itself can't do that).

LOL Winer: "These ppl who bought $100K houses, they have a $2M house now through no fault of their own."

Her point was about the non-liquid aspect of those gains in wealth, but that phrasing just made me laugh, as if *gaining* $2M in wealth is a bad thing.

I just refinanced my condo, which I bought 5 years ago. Not only did I not pay a mortgage for 2 months, or any fees, THEY paid ME the equivalent of 2 months' mortgage, and my monthly payment went down by $200/month.

I'm getting paid to live here at this point.

Of course, I also get the low-income thing. I'm still making $30K a year, and I won't get that house $$ for several years. But I'll still get it. It's still there if I need it, which makes me way better off than anyone renting with low income.

But I digress.

Back to Wallach RE: tax increases: This is not just $540/ year. It's one of many tax increases ppl are facing or will face.

Reminder: Council just setting an upper limit of what the tax CAN be, not what it WILL be.

Another reminder: The advisory group recommended up to 3.8 mills, or roughly $19.5M per year (~$200 yearly on an $850K house; 4X that for $100K of commercial property value)

Brockett: I'm happy to offer support for small biz who might struggle with these costs. And we have programs to help seniors on fixed incomes with property taxes.

"I would argue for leaving the ceiling higher and then create targeted ways" to help people who are burdened by property taxes, Brockett says.

Speer: We've now had 3 polls/surveys that indicate that amount is one voters will support.

A majority of council want to leave the property tax cap at the recommended 3.8 mills, so that's where it will stay.

Again, that is NOT what the tax rate WILL be. Just the most it *could* be.

Another sticking point for commissioners: They want to pick the trustees (along with city council) rather than just approving (or not) the picks that trustees would make.

To clarify, it will be a committee of council and commissioners - 2 members each, who make the picks. Then the whole body(ies) will ratify recommended trustees.

Brockett: We are hearing concerns about accountability from the community, so I think having a little bit of a bigger role would be reassuring.

Unanimous support for that.

That could be changed by future councils/commissions, I'm hearing from Gehr, so trustees could eventually appoint their own successors, but council/commission would ALWAYS have to ratify those picks.

To recap: Decided tonight...
- District dissolution date in 2024 (so they have until then to pass a tax, with 2 attempts)
- Boundary to remove Jamestown (+Niwot if commissioners want to)
- Mill levy capped at 3.8
- Council/commission committee to pick trustees

Still TBD: To lease or give buildings/land to district
That will be worked out with to-be-appointed trustees as they work out an Intergovernmental Agreement

6-3 vote to form a district (on paper for now)
Yates, Wallach, Winer no

Speer: I just want to remind folks this is us putting the questions to voters.

Benjamin: "As succinctly as I can say, we have a generational opportunity to bring about transformational change" to our library, and free up $$ for other city priorities without having to take $$ from other dept.

"I look forward to the community to support this," Benjamin says.

Yates: We received 322 no emails, a fewer number of yes emails.

LOL I love that he has a specific number for no's but not for yes's.

Yates: "We've put ourselves in an awkward situation where ppl are going to assume we're not respecting their views or opinions. They're going to wake up tomorrow and say 'Gosh, we got ignored.'"

That's the nature of gov't, Bob. Happens all the time.

"I think tonight's decision is going to reflect badly on this council. I think the tax is going to fail, and we're putting our library in limbo for some time," Yates says.

Speer: We didn't vote on giving this $$ to the library tonight. We voted to put it on the ballot. That's what democracy is.

That doesn't reflect badly on us, Speer says. We're giving voters the chance to show up and tell us.

Winer asks that folks be kind to one another about this. I felt speakers tonight were really v respectful, especially given how long they waited to speak for 2 minutes each.

Brockett, as he adjourns the meeting: "It's been just over 7 hours."

And I will see YOU in about 7 hours as I go live on KGNU to recap this all for you. 8:10 a.m.

@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thanks!