How to fund the Sechelt Public Library has been puzzling directors at Field Road for months in anticipation of the expiration of a five-year memorandum of understanding last year, but an answer appears to have emerged after a few hours of deliberation Oct. 31.
At a special meeting on library funding, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors unanimously decided to move ahead with a long-term funding agreement, to be enshrined in another five-year memorandum of understanding.
Another option on the table was to shift away from a funding agreement and in its place create a service – a dedicated and permanent funding stream.
The proposal is for a new agreement that would last until 2024 and be based on an estimated percentage of population served, suggested by Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize. “I think we should all pay into libraries whether we use them or not,” he told directors.
A director for Sechelt Indian Government District (SIGD) was not present at the meeting, so directors also voted to consult the SIGD on an appropriate percentage. The funding model will also be sent to stakeholders for approval before negotiations begin.
A report is expected to come to another corporate and administrative services committee with more details about the funding options based on population estimates.
