Comparing Past, Present and Future Library Services

Comparing Current Aurora Library Services

FRIENDS OF MISSION V IEJO LIBRARY

PRESENT

Mission Viejo Library General Improvement District

November 2011 Aurora Ballot Question 300

Answering Your Questions About the GID

We firmly believe the city was in breach of contract when it closed Mission Viejo Library, and are trying to correct this injustice. The city had maintained that they would appeal any judgment against the city, and indications were it could have taken years to resolve the case. Even if Mission Viejo HOA won the case, no more than $1.00 would have been awarded and the courts would more than likely have refused to force the city to re-open the library. Friends of Mission Viejo Library is a Non-Profit Organization that operates solely on donations and volunteers. The costs of providing informational material exceeds our donations. We hope this brochure has provided you with valuable information to make an educated decision this November. If it has, please consider volunteering to deliver this information or help pay for the costs of printing. We apologize we printed in black and white, but color copies are 5 times more costly. Please contact us for more information, if you would like to help distribute brochures, or if you would like us to provide a presentation about the GID. Thank you for your time and consideration. Vote Yes on Ballot Issue 300 this November.
FRIENDS OF MISSION VIEJO LIBRARY

VOTE YES on 300 This November

Its about our library services, Its about Local Control Visit us at: MissionViejoLibraryGID.com

Mailing Address 4255 S. Buckley Road #112 Aurora, CO 80013 Phone: (720) 432-9440 E-mail: alan@MissionViejoLibraryGID.com chris@MissionViejoLibraryGID.com

We believe that the residents of southern Aurora deserve to have their library services restored.

Important Voter Information

We are providing you with information from both sides of the issue, so that you can make an informed decision this November. In 2009, a Citywide Library Ballot issued failed. As a result the city closed 3 libraries in the City of Aurora. Mission Viejo Library was unique in the fact that a contract with the original builder of the Mission Viejo Sub-Division had with the City of Aurora to Maintain the building it provided to the city as a library for 50 years. Mission Viejo Homeowners Association, obtained the legal rights of the builders to pursue a legal remedy in the matter. During mediation the city said it would fight any decision that was issued by a court to re-open the library. The city and HOA agreed to administratively close the lawsuit, and entered into an agreement which re-opened the library on a very limited basis. Realizing that the city is faced with more than a $7 million budget shortfall in 2012, the HOA agreed in mediation to bring forward a GID that would secure the future of the library for residents of southern Aurora. A recent Sentinel article shows that other groups are already planning to bring forward similar measures within the next two years. Based on the amounts of the last GID that measure is sure to ask residents to pay more than $100 per year to support the library system.

Q. Our opponents say a 1.1 % Mill Levy increases as land value decreases and could result in a 9% tax increase without out going back to the voters.

County Libraries. Why should I support this measure? A. Arapahoe County has been charging Aurora Residents $100 for unrestricted access to their books and services. Denver County may soon follow. Friends of Mission Viejo Library has secured an agreement with Arapahoe County Libraries to allow unrestricted access to those residents in the GID area. Q. How much is this GID going to cost homeowners? A. When the GID language was written it was estimated that 30,800 homeowners would be affected. After the GID map was certified it was determined that more than 39,500 homeowners were in the GID area. The GID originally asked for $25.00 a year on a $200,000 home. As a result of the increase in the number of homes the proposed amount will be reduced to about $19.00. a year. Thats just .05 cents a day, .37 cents a week, or $1.58 per month. Now, that is a deal.

A. There is a 9% increase to the total Mill Levy. The dollars associated with the change in Mill Levy are not equal to 9%. While the Mill Levy amount may change slightly, the amounts will be adjusted the following year so that no more than $750,000 is collected without voter approval. If the Mill Levy collects $780,000 in 2012 the total amount that can be collected in 2013 cannot exceed $720,000. In addition, the increases and decreases in property value are tied together because of the small size of the GID area. The total annual increase to taxes are about $19.00, which about .02% increase in actual tax dollars. Q. Our opponents have said that they would not have contested the Ballot Question had a Special Improvement District (SID) been used, rather than a General Improvement District (GID). What is the difference between the two? A. A GID and SID are similar in that funds are collected for a specific purpose. The Funds in a GID are placed in the Citys General Fund but can only be used for the intended purpose for which it was collected. A SID or a Library District is normally formed to encompass the entire city entity, not a single library. These funds are collected into a separate account which is not managed by the city but a separate Board of Directors and support staff. The costs associated with this option exceed $350,000.

What Do I Get for the Money?

Secures the future of Mission Viejo Library and library services for residents in southern Aurora Increases library hours from 20 to 40+ hours a week Increases the numbers of books, media, and other materials to match closer to other Aurora libraries Increases the number of computers (research, catalog look-ups, automated check out) Increases children and adult literacy programs Increases use of meeting rooms Improvements to the building and grounds

What is it that you need to know about this GID and why should you vote YES on Ballot Issue 300?

WE THINK THAT THEY WOULD HAVE OPPOSED THIS OPTION AS WELL.

Q. Our opponents have said the GID will result in double taxing of residents within the GID area? A. Consider this: The 2000 Bond Issue that they refer to is not a Mill Levy, but a Sales Tax. Everyone who makes a purchase in Aurora contributes. The bond had a myriad of line items attached to it. As a result, the city has the ability to fund these projects at any rate it wishes. Without the GID there is NO Guarantee that the Mission Viejo Library would remain open. The funds in the GID can only be used to support this library. If the city closed the library, the GID tax measure would be dissolved. Q. I live close to and use Arapahoe County or Denver

Q. Was Mission Viejo Library built for the residents of Mission Viejo sub-division? If so, what gives Friends of Mission Viejo Library the right to ask me to support the library. A. While Mission Viejo Library is named after the subdivision it is located in, it services the southern portion of the city of Aurora. The GID area was decided by residents from around south Aurora, not just Mission Viejo. An initial map was provided to the HOA during mediation. If you consider Aurora currently has 4 libraries and 334,000 residentseach library would support about 83,500 residents. It is estimated that about 78,000 residents are in the GID area.

No increases in taxes. The total amount of the GID cannot be increased without voter approval. An oversight committee made up of concerned residents, appointed by affected HOAs, will review and ensure that GID funds are appropriately used. Access to e-reader resources (Kindle, Nook, IPad, etc.)

VOTE YES ON 300