Agenda - 03-26-2009 - 5-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Chapel Hill Official VVebsite -Comments of Mayor Foy to Orange County Board Page 2 of 2 is why I am requesting that the county restore its contribution this year to a level of 20% of the operating budget. This would still leave a gap of almost 20% in the difference between patron service and patron funding; but I believe that the county and the town can come to some kind of equitable arrangement over the next year or so that would address our long-term relationship regarding library funding. Funding library operations will be a key issue for the town, particularly as the library's operating costs and predicted usage increase after the expansion is complete, and there are some options available. For example, the approximately 5% of patrons who are neither residents of Chapel Hill nor of Orange County currently pay an annual fee for a library card that entitles them to full usage. If that fee were sufficient to offset the cost of service, its cost would increase significantly. However, if that high fee were applied to all residents outside of Chapel Hill, including those in Orange County, we believe it could be a disservice to the broader community that might in particular adversely affect school children and their families. But those are the kinds of matters that the county and the town could discuss over the next year. I realize you have many matters to consider, and you need to get on with your meeting. But again, I appreciate your giving me the opportunity to speak. I am confident that we can work together for the benefit of all Orange County citizens, and I hope you will seriously consider my request to restore the funding level for the library to 20% for this fiscal year, an amount of $462,000. Home ~ Contact Us ~ Site Map Copyright Notices ~ Powered by CivicPlus httpa/www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=1729 3/25/2009