Carol seems to make a good point when she juxtaposes our expectations of libraries needs having to be met by fundraising versus our expectations of alleys being funded from taxes. Obviously she hasn't heard of my "Walk for Alleys" fund raising campaign. The point that is overlooked however is a discussion of what base level of funding is appropriate for government services we expect. Our alleys for example are easily measurable as to their quantity. They are an asset of our city worth a definable amount of money. There is for any asset such as this an acceptable life cycle so that we can predict how much money we should be investing each and every year to maintain, and replace them when needed. This applies to a great degree for all of our infrastructure. Obviously things can change during each items life cycle such as improved maintenance products, more or less deterioration based on such items as changing usage levels, or cheaper replacement products. Budgets can easily be adjusted to compensate for these changes however so that a properly run capital budget can maintain our infrastructure at an appropriate and agreed upon level. There should be no need for private fundraising. If properly run there should also be no need for infrastructure gaps such as we are dealing with in Public Works, parks, libraries and yes, even alley replacement. Libraries are a different sort of animal. In comparison, alleys are extremely quantifiable. I have a house built on a street system that incorporates an alley. I look out back and know where the alley belongs and what the surface should look like. If you looked with me you would have the same expectations. When the potholes get too big I can scream at City Hall and they can look at it and, although they might not fix it, they will have a hard time disagreeing with my conclusion that the alley needs work. How do we quantify the libraries? Do you expect the same level of service I do? Do you want a Planetarium at your library, or maybe an Aquarium? How close should we all live to our nearest Library? How many books should they have? What hours of service should there be? What number of computers should be available for use? Are there are other options that might serve the same wants and needs, such as County libraries, school libraries, internet services, book stores? Libraries might be a basic service that we have grown to expect of government, but the level we want, and are willing to pay for, can be more difficult to assess. It is up to our citizens as to whether they want to pay more taxes, or be involved in fundraising to offer additional more expansive services than what might be considered the norm. So how does the Minneapolis Public Library fit into the norm? I collected some data from two rating services for public libraries before last falls election which were fairly consistent in how they rated Minneapolis. They showed that in a category based on 82 libraries around the country that serve populations closest in size to Minneapolis we have the 3rd highest expenditure per capita at $50.60, versus $18.33 at the 50th percentile. Almost three times the norm. We also have the third highest staff per capita at .9, versus .4 at the 50th percentile. Over double the norm. Our total cost per circulation is $7.40 versus $3.70 at the 50th percentile. Double the norm. One can disagree with how ratings such as this are compiled but it is hard to argue dollars spent per capita. It is easily measurable. In that masochistic sort of way we look at things from Minneapolis I almost have to agree that I am happy to see we are spending significantly more than the norm. But there has to be a limit. Carol's logic seems to imply that since alleys are funded by taxes, we should therefore just keep sending additional tax money to fund the libraries needs in order to properly show the "priorities we put on people." To me this is an inappropriate and unfair comparison. I would submit that we should have a plan in place to adequately fund the repair and maintenance of all of our alleys, indeed all of our infrastructure, to an acceptable and fiscally responsible level of maintenance. End of discussion. Determine the proper number and fund it. I understand by the way that the funding for alley repaving for 2002 is in triple figures, $0.00. As for libraries, the citizens have voted to give the library $140,000,000 for improvements. I have stated my case in the past that I believe this referendum was improperly presented to the people, perhaps to the point of fraudulently. The library staff, Board and Mayor all were aware that the money requested would build libraries that the city did not have the money to adequately run. If the library supporters still want a Planetarium, and the state is unable to fund their wish at this time, then unless they raise funds elsewhere they need to accept there will be no Planetarium for now. The citizens have proven their overall support for our libraries. Some are better able to financially support the library with additional dollars than others. Some are more interested in doing so than others. Forget more taxes, roll up your sleeves and start raising dollars if you want more funds for libraries. If you make a good enough case, I might even be willing to lend support. Right after I get my new alley. Bob Gustafson 13th Ward Chair, MMM |
