Logan council continues decision on proposed library nonresident fee to Aug. 18

The Logan City Council on Feb. 3 continued consideration of Resolution 26-02, a proposal to lower the Logan Public Library's nonresident annual card fee, after a public hearing and extended council discussion.

Library Director Michael told the council that his research found the library had been misstating the basis for the previous $163 price and that board review of a 20-year-old formula led the board to recommend a new stated fee of $125 per year with an added per-transaction service charge. "We'd been telling people that it was based on the average property tax paid, and, that's not accurate," Michael said, summarizing why the board reexamined the fee formula.

Library board members and residents urged the council to reduce the barrier for nonresident access. Chelsea Bittner, who said she serves on the library board, told the council the board believes lowering the fee to $125 "would have a very nominal impact on the budget, and the ... effects to the physical and digital circulation would be minimal." Christopher Shear, also identified with the library board, framed the move as one of access: "For a $125 a year, every home in Logan has access to our library collection and services," he said. David Welsh, speaking as a library board member, argued the proposed fee is "mathematically fair" and could bring economic and social benefits.

Council members pressed staff on likely demand and budget effects. Staff said historical sales equate to roughly 140 equivalent annual household cards and estimated nonresident revenue around $18,000 a year; councillors asked whether greater card counts would increase use of paid digital resources and whether Logan taxpayers would ultimately shoulder any extra costs. Several members urged more detail about outreach to residents and a plan to grow resident usage of the new library before changing the fee.

Councilmembers also discussed the county's six-month funding window for its library system and expressed concern that Logan's action could affect county decisions. Given those concerns, a councilmember moved to continue Resolution 26-02 to Aug. 18 (after Truth-in-Taxation and the county's funding window) "without a public hearing," adding direction for staff to discuss participation with the county and return with additional information on outreach and resident-usage strategies. The motion was seconded and the council voted aloud in favor.

Next step: Resolution 26-02 will return to the council on Aug. 18 with requested follow-up reporting and county outreach results.