Save Berkeley Public Library!
The Berkeley Public Library is seeking to introduce a special tax on the November ballot to prevent reductions in staffing, hours, and programs. The proposed tax would charge 6 cents per square foot for residential properties and 9 cents per square foot for commercial properties, generating approximately $5.6 million annually. This additional revenue is crucial for maintaining historic buildings, including a $1.5 million HVAC replacement for the main branch, and to prevent cuts that would affect staff, which constitutes over 75% of the library's budget. The library's funding, established in 1980 and amended in 1988, relies heavily on a special tax that is pegged to economic indicators but is expected to run out by 2030 due to projected expenses outpacing revenue. City officials, including Mayor Jesse Arreguín, attribute funding difficulties to Proposition 13, which limited property tax assessments and drastically reduced local government funding.
The real reason for the need for additional revenue is the decrease in public funding caused by Proposition 13. This measure, which limits property tax assessments, has starved local governments of crucial funds for libraries and other services. Instead of relying on temporary solutions like stopgap taxes, we should reform Proposition 13 to address the underlying issue. Ensuring stable and sufficient funding for public institutions like the Berkeley Public Library requires long-term structural changes to our tax system, not just short-term fixe
Photographer: Nancy Rubin
Library tax stopgap ballot measure closer to November’s ballot
By Alex N. Gecan | Berkeleyside | May 29, 2024