September will be decision time

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September will be decision time

Opinions

Friday, 12 August 2011 11:34

Keith Laytham

September will be decision time regarding funding for the Osceola Library System for next year. With expected costs to run the system predicted to exceed the budgeted amount, county officials are doing their job by looking at alternatives.

To meet budget targets, will the county need to cut back on services in order to reduce costs? Is there another alternative to running the system as it exists today? The county management team is working to look at alternatives between now and mid-September when the budget gets finalized.
This raises questions.
Are they looking at privatizing the library by engaging with an outside vendor or are they simply looking to outsource the operation of the county-owned library system? This should be clarified. What about the levels of service to be offered by each alternative? What are the implications in terms of Osceola County jobs that might be lost? With the unemployment rate being what it is, jobs are at a premium in the county.
In this difficult economic situation, public libraries play an ever-increasing role in the life of our communities. For example, as of Aug. 1, claims for unemployment benefits must be made via computer website instead of using the telephone. For many lower income residents, their only access to a computer is in the public library. Would a less expensive form of running the library offer the level of service required to meet the needs of the community?
Educational projects? Education is key for placing adults and young adults entering the workforce. Libraries provide a source for such materials to the people who cannot afford to purchase their own and who need it the most.
County staff is gathering the data that will be able to answer these questions. This information will be presented to both the public and county commissioners prior to the decision being made. County commissioners will vote based on what they view as the will of the people.
Between now and the September decision, it will be important for concerned residents to pay attention to the data provided. Will the cost savings projected by moving to a new system of management for the public library be worth the savings in tax dollars? If jobs are to be eliminated or downsized, would that justify the tax savings involved? If expenses for the library are to increase by providing the services the public wants, cannot these additional expenses be paid for by cuts in other areas of the county budget, thus leaving the tax rate the same as today? Or is the public willing to bear the restoration of the library tax rate to the amount that they already voted for?
These are the decisions that Osceola County residents need to decide for themselves and then express their feelings to commissioners. Then and only then can they cast their votes to truly represent the will of the people.
Keith Laytham is a Poinciana resident and a member of Poinciana Residents for Smart Change.