July 13, 1999

Dear Friends of the Solana Beach Library:

On July 14 the Solana Beach City Council will once again meet with the San Dieguito Union High School District to try to hammer out an agreement over the siting of a new joint use library at Earl Warren Junior High School. The two agencies are close to reaching an agreement, but a funding gap has naturally created a concern.

In the hopes of helping to move this project forward, let me reiterate my commitment to the citizens of the City of Solana Beach in helping them to build a library.

1. Last year I pledged $ 100,000 toward the construction of this library. My request passed the Board of Supervisors. I intended county funds to spur donations from the private sector and city council monetary support for the library. I remain committed to giving this money to the City of Solana Beach for construction of a new library.
2. 1 will ask the County Board of Supervisors to fund the shortfall in the library annual operating budget, a shortfall that comes to $200,000 per year.
3. 1 am working with the city to hammer out an agreement to allow the council to defer what is owed to the county by the City of Solana Beach in Redevelopment Agency funds. This money, although not a lot, could then be dedicated by the city to the construction of the new library.
4. 1 have already increased the Solana Beach Library annual operating budget by $80,000, an augmentation from the county general fund, not the City of Solana Beach's property tax. Increased dollars meant increased hours, more books and better staffing.
5. I dedicated $157,320 for automation equipment upgrades for District Three libraries. Solana Beach got their share of this money, which meant substantial computer upgrades.My attention to equipment needs for the library will continue whenever financially possible.
6. In June 1999 1 voted to support a $2.8 million increase in the county library operating budget. The funds will be used for more books, children's programs, better technology and more hours at some libraries. I will make certain that Solana Beach gets their fair share of this money.

Since 1992 1 have worked to increase resources and services for the Solana Beach Library. So I applaud everyone involved for the hard work that has gone into planning for a new library. Council members are rightfully concerned about funding and are being fiscally prudent. I support that approach to protecting taxpayer dollars. But of course I remain hopeful that the city council will find a way to come to an agreement to build this important joint use library. It's good for both the students at Earl Warren Junior High School and the citizens of Solana Beach.

Sincerely,

PAM SLATER
CHAIRWOMAN

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS