Sunday, February 14, 2010

Prescott Arizona Looks at User Fees for Library and Other Services


Link to February 12 Prescott Daily Courier article, "Prescott considering charging for public library use."

Excerpt: Councilman John Hanna [a retired Prescott police officer] agreed that the city should be looking into charging for library use. He pointed out that as many as 2,000 people are using the library each day, and "they're not paying a thing." [Emphasis added.]

Added Hanna: "I actually consider this library as a luxury, because you do not need it to live. People need to realize - especially in these economic times we're in right now - if you don't pay, you can't play.
"

Whoa, Hanna. Where is the revenue for $30,575,470 worth of city services coming from? Manna from heaven? Is this the divine intervention that Sarah Palin was talking about?

In reality, a place where John seems to fear to tread, the City of Prescott spends 8% of its budget on library services. (The money coming from people's property taxes, I assume.)

Link to City of Prescott budget for 2009-2010 fiscal year.

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