NEWS, POLITICS

Library fee measure defeated

Measure 24-468l that would establish a library services fee is headed to defeat by a 55-45 margin.

If approved the measure would have added a $2.50 per month fee to city services bills to fund a public library.

Currently Keizer residents have the all-volunteer Keizer Community Library, housed at the Keizer Cultural Center.The $2.50 fee would have generated about $400,000 per year which would have funded a professional librarian and a children’s book librarian.

The unofficial vote totals shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday night was 6,030 against and 4,952 for.

What was planned as victory party by measure supporters was held at McNary Golf Club and was well attended by city officials, library board members and supporters.

The common reaction from attendees was a new plan has to be developed. As one party-goer said, “Keizer’s the biggest city in the state without a library. That’s ridiculous.”