Although the mayor and Council have agreed on how to generate revenue for the city, libraries may still wane without the go-ahead in Harrisburg for a five-year sales tax hike.
The Coalition to Save the Libraries member Susan Gould, left, stands alongside Council members Jannie L. Blackwell, center, Curtis Jones Jr. and Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez outside of Council Chambers during last weekend's public testimony on the 2009-10 budget (Photo by Steve Langdon).
Almost 200 more patrons are expected to visit the library this year. Yet, even with demand up, a budget expected to go down to less than $33 million this year may only let residents in the door for limited weekday and some Saturday hours.
Mayor Michael Nutter has withdrawn his appeal to close 11 libraries, including the Fumo Family, 2437 S. Broad St., and Queen Memorial, 1201 S. 23rd St., branches, but the City still faces an ongoing budget crunch that could result in more cuts than the 20 percent, or $8 million, already suffered.
Since Jan. 16, locations have been closing unexpectedly, or opening late due to staff shortages. At the six South Philly branches, 18 service hours were lost from April 24 to May 7. In addition, Queen Memorial and Whitman libraries both were closed May 9.
"We're trying to maintain the schedule that is online, but it's not possible every day seeing that we're down 111 positions," Free Library of Philadelphia spokeswomen Sandy Horrocks said, adding the City's 311 line has the latest information on closings and delayed openings each day.
Saturday morning, about 20 supporters made their opinions heard loud and clear via signs such as "Books not cuts," "Love your library" and "Let us read," as members of the Coalition to Save the Libraries flocked to City Council to voice their stance on what more cuts to the system would do.
Eight coalition members, including Susan Gould, who was representing the Fumo Branch, and Betty Beaufort, speaking on behalf of Queen Memorial, testified before Council in the last public session for residents to give their thoughts on the 2009-10 budget and its impact.
"Even if they don't take into account everything we say, they are at least informed by what we are telling them," Gould, of 10th Street and Snyder Avenue, said following Saturday's testimony. "It is also on the record."
Beaufort, of 18th and Reed streets, added, "I feel at least they have the willingness to hear what the people have to say. It's usually what they say goes. At least they are hearing what the cry of the people say."
Although Nutter battled with Council over the budget that is expected to pass today, the administration and Council reached an agreement Monday on ways to generate revenue and avoid cutting services, such as libraries, namely through an increased sales taxes.
In March, Nutter had sought to raise property taxes for two years and the sales tax for three. Late last month, Council made it known it preferred to extend the sales tax hike for five years and borrow $200 million against fiscal years 2013 and '14 receipts to avoid a spike in the real estate tax.
May 11, the mayor and Council agreed to raise the sales tax by 1 percent, to eight total, for five years in addition to deferring part of the City's pension fund payment for two years, but will pay by the end of the five-year plan, according to a joint statement from Nutter and Council. A joint working committee on government efficiencies also will be created to find ways to reduce costs
"As Council begins its process of passing this budget, well ahead of the May 31 deadline, Council and the mayor will work as a team with the General Assembly to advocate for the legislature's approval to proceed with our plan," the statement read.
Council met with Gov. Ed Rendell last Thursday, where he expressed his support for the plan, Council spokesman Anthony Radwanski said. However, whether it will get approval on the state level is unknown.
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1. Alexander VanArsdale said... on May 14, 2009 at 03:43PM
“Why not have city council impose a special city tax on gasoline and all sporting and concert events so that tax money only be used for the libararies, this will resolve the long term issue of taxation without repesenation or do the right thing and have the city reorganize it work week hours of 4 day work weeks 10 hours aday and have 3 days off saving on expensives it works but will the city do something smart? Alexander VanArsdale P.S. Work smarter not harder”