Library Tax Debate

El Cerrito Library at 6510 Stockton Ave.

Questions and claims about the library tax initiative once again dominated public comment at the City Council meeting on Feb. 3. City Council members did not discuss the issue.

Next Decision Feb. 19

The matter is on their agenda for a special meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19. They are expected to decide whether to place the measure on the ballot in June or November of 2026. The city staff is preparing an impact report about the tax measure.

The meeting location is currently listed as Hana Gardens, 10860 San Pablo Ave. The council chamber will be closed Feb. 4 to March 24 to replace the audio-visual system.

Opponents vs. Supporters

On Feb. 3, critics said the council needs to provide a clear analysis of the measure’s fiscal impacts before putting the measure before voters, while supporters said voters need to approve this funding measure if they want a new library.

Library Cost Estimates

A better understanding of the likely cost of a new library emerged last month when the city released estimates provided by consultant Griffin Structures. The estimated cost of a 20,000-square-foot Plaza Station library increased from $21 million quoted by the city in 2023 to $37 million quoted by Griffin Structures last month.

When the tax initiative was written and supporters began gathering ballot-qualifying signatures in July 2024, the $21 million estimate was said to be the likely Plaza Station library cost.

Plaza Library Proposal “Infeasible”

On Tuesday, Ira Sharenow told the City Council that building a Plaza Station library as discussed since at least 2019 “is infeasible.”

The city’s strategic plan calls for a library to be built in one of six apartment buildings it has approved to be built on what are now BART parking lots. The proposed Plaza library site would be the ground floor of an affordable housing building on the corner of Liberty Street and Fairmount Avenue.

While the library tax initiative does not specify the location where a new library must be built, four of five current City Council members have said they support the Plaza location.

Sharenow said building a library at that site, known as Parcel C West, is currently “infeasible” because there is no building there, and funding has not been obtained.

“You cannot put a library in a nonexistent building,” he said.

Would Proposed Tax Cover Costs?

Sharenow also questioned whether the proposed library tax will be enough to cover the cost of library construction, all operating expenses for 10 years, and the costs of debt service.

The measure would authorize a special tax of up to 17 cents per square foot of improved building area per year, or $340 per year on a 2,000 square foot house. It can be increased annually by the City Council based on the cost of living.

Sharenow said, “The tax will supposedly bring in $2.7 million per year…Management has said operating costs will be $900,000 per year. That leaves $1.8 million for bond payments. But the bond payments will be over $2 million.”

Bond Underwriter’s Opinion?

“Before you put the proposal on the ballot, why not bring in a bond underwriter and get a definitive opinion about what’s affordable with the proposed tax?” Sharenow asked.

Greg Lyman, a former City Council member and lead author of the library tax initiative, disagreed with Sharenow.

Lyman’s Construction Bond Figures

Lyman said, “I’m sure when you do engage your bond advisors, you will find that at 5%, a bond sold at $36 million would result in a $2.3 million annual payment for 30 years. That would be (covered by a tax of) 15 cents per square foot.

Operating Costs “Are Unknown”

Lyman added, “The operating costs…are unknown and can’t be determined by the county librarian until they know whether it’s a single story or a two-story building. So at this point, there’s no point in saying how much the operating costs would be.”

Tax Measure Does Not Limit Location

Lyman said if the library tax passes, it could fund either a Plaza Station library or a new two-story library at the current location on Stockton Avenue.

Lyman also said supporters of the library tax measure have a new website, <anewelcerritolibrary.com>

Wants Operational Costs and Parking Study

Laurie Schrey urged the City Council to postpone placing the measure on the ballot “until a comprehensive fiscal impact report is completed, including all operational costs, a thorough parking study, and how to fully fund the bond from day one.”

She said she wants a new library, but does not support the tax initiative as written, and opposes placing the measure on the June ballot before questions are addressed.

$80,000 More for June Ballot

City Clerk Holly Charlety stated at the Jan. 20 meeting that it will cost the city $80,000 to place the library tax on the June 2, 2026, ballot. Then the city will pay about $80,000 for a City Council election on Nov. 3, 2026, bringing total 2026 election costs to about $160,000. If both votes were on Nov. 3, 2026, the city would pay the $80,000 election cost only once.

“What is the rush to push this onto a ballot in June at an additional cost of $80,000 in taxpayer money?” Schrey asked. “Why not wait a few months, add it to the November ballot at no cost?”

$80,000 Could Be Repaid Using Library Tax

Lyman said if the library tax measure passes, the $80,000 cost of a June election could be “recovered” from the new library tax revenue and would not need to come from the general fund.

Michael Fischer, who represents El Cerrito on the Contra Costa County Library Commission, said El Cerrito’s library needs to be replaced because it is too old, too small, and not seismically safe.

Fischer said, “Everyone claims to be for the library but some, unrealistically, don’t want to have to pay for it. We have come up with a means to pay for the new library in a manner that nearly all civic problems are paid for – a fair, limited, targeted tax.

Tax Money Only For “Library Purposes”

“The proposed measure is not a blank check,” he continued. “No money is collected until planning is undertaken. It lasts only 30 years after the issuance of construction bonds. And the money can only be used for library purposes.”

City Council Will Decide

“Our City Council will decide where the library will be after considering public input,” Fischer said. “Under the measure, all options are open…If you oppose this measure, then you cannot honestly be in favor of a new library.”