Coos Bay council approves $30 million library bond language, favors 20-year term

The Coos Bay City Council on Aug. 6 approved language to place a $30 million general-obligation bond measure on the Nov. 5 ballot to replace the city’s failing downtown library and endorsed a 20‑year financing term.

City Manager Nicole told the council the $30 million figure is a cap intended to replace the existing facility and allow phased design work; earlier estimates with a parking garage and fuller buildout reached roughly $45 million. “We will continue to source other funds,” Nicole said, and the architect will plan for phased construction so future additions can be added if grants or donations materialize.

Supporters said delaying replacement would likely increase costs, while several councilors said they worried about the sticker price. Councilor Troy said that although libraries remain vital community buildings, he struggled with why public construction costs are high. Councilor Cribbins and others argued the 20-year option is fiscally prudent: under the 20‑year scenario the levy equals about $1.51 per $1,000 of assessed value versus about $1.21 per $1,000 under a 30‑year term, but the shorter term carries substantially lower total interest costs.

Nicole also noted that a $300,000 assessed-value home would face roughly a $4.50 annual increase under the 20‑year assumption in the staff’s illustrative model; the 30‑year option reduces the annual payment but raises lifetime interest. “If we go out 30 years, we will end up paying more,” Nicole said.

Councilors discussed site and scope details and asked staff to make the ballot summary explicitly reference the current downtown location. Councilor Carmen Matthews proposed minor wording changes to clarify that the new library would replace the existing, structurally failing library at Anderson Avenue; the council approved that edit before adopting Resolution 24‑26 to place the measure on the ballot.

The resolution sets the ballot measure title and directs staff to publish the measure and work with the county clerk on final wording and notice timelines. The council also asked staff and the library steering committee to continue pursuing grants and to present public-facing materials explaining what the $30 million would fund and how future phases might be added.

Next steps: staff will publish the ballot title and summary, begin public outreach about the bond question, and continue designs that allow for phased construction if additional funding becomes available.