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Accounting needed for library tax

Staff reports

When Nevada County Librarian Francisco Pinneli promised voters that money collected in Truckee for the Measure B tax, would stay here, Truckee voters responded.

But was it an empty promise?

The 1/8-cent library support tax passed overwhelmingly in Nevada County in 1998 and has greatly improved service, selection and hours at the Truckee library.



However, questions have arisen about the exact percentage of Measure B funds going to Truckee. Pre-election estimates stated that 24 percent of the total Measure B funds would be generated within Truckee, which comprises 15 percent of the county population.

Two years later, despite repeated requests by Truckee’s Friends of the Library, there has been no accounting to assure voters that the funds are returning here.



Pinelli and other county officials say all the tax funds go into one account, and cannot be separated out by region – a statement that seems impossible to credit in the Year 2000.

Since the the State Board of Equalization issues regular reports of total sales taxes collected in Truckee, it seems a matter of basic math – work for a couple of hours monthly, to calculate the amount that the county owes us.

The county should take heed of Truckee residents’ concerns. Without facts to demonstrate that all our tax funds are returning here, Truckee voters may be justifiably reluctant to pass Measure B when it returns for renewal.

We need an accounting, not excuses.


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