| Providence
debates $25,000 fee for 18 months of using Logan library
By Trevor Brasfield
March 30, 2007 | PROVIDENCE
-- What would you do for a $25,000 library card? Would
you allow the city to increase your property taxes?
This is what could happen in the
near future if the Providence City Council approves
an 18-month trial period of using the Logan Municipal
Library.
The Logan City Council approved the
measure for the trial period last week, and Providence
was supposed to follow suit. Due to a death in one of
the city employee’s family, the calendar did not get
changed in time. At the Providence council meeting,
this seemed to upset council member Stacie Gomm, who
had representatives from the Library and Logan council
in attendance.
Some of the council members vocally
oppose the idea of allowing even a trial period because
it could hurt Providence's existing library.
Council member Deon Johnson was one
opposed to this measure, saying, “What will happen with
our library?” He got no answer.
“Let them try it, it gives
them an educated way to find out if it is a waste of
money” Gomm said. “We as a council do not make that
call; the citizens make that call.”
After the 18-month trial period that
Logan has given Providence, a property tax increase
would be placed on the people of Providence; this would
cover the cost the library charges non-Logan residents
for us. This fee for usage is $163 for a library card.
Logan has determined a $25,000 usage fee would be assessed
to Providence for this trial period.
Lynn Lemon, Cache County executive,
believes this to be a waste of money, and that a county
library is a better alternative. He expressed this through
a phone call to council member Kathy Baker and Gomm.
A vote will take place at the next
council meeting at 6 p.m. April 10.
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