COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Colusa County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve an $85 annual parcel tax to support the county’s seven public libraries, a proposal drawing questions about tax fairness, future increases and what residents would receive in return.
Measure L, known as the Colusa County Library Preservation Act, would establish a dedicated funding source for library operations, staffing, programs and maintenance. County estimates project approximately $850,000 in annual revenue.
While supporters say the measure would provide financial stability after years of budget fluctuations and service reductions, some property owners question whether a parcel tax distributes the cost fairly.
The Colusa County Farm Bureau recently expressed support for the library system while opposing the measure as written.
“Supporting our library does not mean we must support the parcel tax as it is currently written,” the organization said in a statement.
The Farm Bureau argues that agricultural operations often consist of multiple parcels, sometimes under different ownership entities, resulting in higher tax bills than residential properties containing numerous dwellings on a single parcel.
Local farmer and small-business owner Rich Selover expressed similar concerns about how the tax would affect agricultural operations.
“I’ve got 11 parcels, so it’s almost $1,000,” Selover said.
Selover questioned whether the proposed assessment distributes the financial responsibility equally among property owners.
“I think this was written with good intentions, thinking that it would be equitably split up,” Selover said. “And I think when we look at it under a microscope, it’s not doing that.”
Under Measure L, qualifying contiguous parcels under common ownership and integrated use could receive a combined assessment through the county assessor. Separately located properties generally would remain subject to individual assessments.
During an interview with the Pioneer Review, proponents Erin Steidlmayer and Madison Martin acknowledged the concerns but said a dwelling-based tax would cost more to administer and could require higher assessments to generate comparable revenue.
Proponents said they selected $85 after considering an earlier $145-per-parcel proposal discussed by the Colusa County Board of Supervisors.
“We thought $145 was maybe too much for taxpayers,” said, Steidlmayer explaining that organizers also considered residents living on fixed incomes.
Another concern involves the measure’s annual inflation adjustment.
The ordinance allows the maximum authorized tax to increase annually based on the California Consumer Price Index, capped at 3%. Although the provision does not impose a fixed 3% increase each year, adjustments could compound over time.
The Farm Bureau questioned that provision, suggesting future increases should use the original $85 assessment rather than compound annually.
Supporters argue inflation adjustments would help maintain services as operating costs rise.
“We don’t want to have to come back up to the taxpayers in 15 years because the library is now unfunded,” Steidlmayer said.
The library’s financial difficulties reflect broader pressures on the county budget.
Former Colusa County Administrator Wendy Tyler said a State Controller’s Office audit in 2021-22 identified errors in allocating property tax revenue from certain electric utility properties. Correcting those errors permanently reduced the county’s annual General Fund revenue by approximately $1.7 million.
Tyler, who served nearly 10 years as county administrator, said increasing operating costs also reduced the purchasing power of existing library funding.
To help maintain services, Behavioral Health and Health and Human Services provided temporary financial assistance while the county explored longer-term funding options.
The library subsequently lost approximately $500,000 in annual funding associated with its Behavioral Health partnership after changes to the allowable use of those funds, according to library funding materials and discussions with library representatives.
County budget documents show library expenditures have fluctuated, from approximately $905,000 in fiscal year 2022-23 to $1.59 million in the adopted 2025-26 budget.
Library Director Stacey Zwald Costello said the department has eliminated seven positions, reduced public service hours and sought additional operating savings.
The library renegotiated utility and service contracts, reduced expenses and rented unused office space to help offset operating costs.
“We’ve lost seven people, we’ve lost hours and hours of service, and at the same time, the cost of everything has increased,” Costello said.
According to information distributed by Measure L supporters, operating hours declined 71% in Grimes, 65% in Princeton, 55% in Maxwell, 43% in Colusa, 35% in Arbuckle and 22% in Williams.
Costello said additional funding would help the library work toward restoring lost operating hours, reinstating programs and expanding services across the county.
“My goal is to not only get those hours back,” Costello said. “Many of our communities deserve full-time libraries.”
However, Costello said she could not promise specific staffing levels or branch schedules without knowing what resources would become available.
Measure L would also change how the county contributes to library operations.
The ordinance requires Colusa County to maintain funding equal to at least 75% of its 2025-26 contribution. That requirement would allow the county to provide less than its current contribution while still complying with the measure.
Supervisors could reduce funding further by adopting a resolution declaring a fiscal emergency during a public meeting.
Consequently, the approximately $850,000 in new tax revenue would not necessarily represent an equal increase in the library’s overall budget.
The measure would also establish a five-member citizens’ oversight committee and require annual reports detailing tax collections and expenditures.
Another provision generally limits operating and capital reserve balances to 10% of annual tax revenue unless supervisors approve higher amounts following a public hearing.
The Farm Bureau questioned whether those restrictions could encourage unnecessary spending to avoid exceeding the limit.
Proponents said the ordinance permits reserves for emergencies, equipment and facility needs without requiring unnecessary expenditures.
Beyond books, the county’s libraries provide public computers, internet access, literacy programs, children’s activities and educational resources.
Costello said physical book circulation remains strong despite reduced operating hours.
“Just because you’re not using it doesn’t mean it’s not being used,” Costello said.
Measure L would remain in effect until voters repeal it.
For voters, the question extends beyond whether Colusa County’s libraries need financial support. Measure L would provide dedicated revenue, but it would also establish an ongoing tax without guaranteeing specific service improvements. Whether that arrangement represents an appropriate and equitable funding solution will be decided Nov. 3.