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Resident urges funding to preserve library streaming service, questions proposed sales tax
Summary
At the first Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearing on the proposed FY27 budget, resident Patrick Sheridan urged commissioners to consider funding the library to retain the Hoopla streaming platform and warned a new sales tax could disproportionately hurt low-income residents; commissioners outlined upcoming budget hearings and some early departmental requests.
Patrick Sheridan, a resident who spoke during the Taxpayer Bill of Rights portion of the FY27 budget hearing, told the commission the Athens-Clarke County Library plans to cut the Hoopla platform (audio books and streaming) at the end of June because of cost and asked commissioners to consider additional funding to keep the service.
"The library recently announced that they would be cutting a platform called Hoopla, which provides audio books and streaming services for patrons," Sheridan said, asking the commission to "consider looking into" funding to preserve the platform. He identified himself and gave his address during public comment.
Sheridan also raised concerns about a mayoral proposal for a sales tax, saying it would burden people on limited incomes. "As someone on a limited budget, I'm a grad student ... adding another sales tax ... is not something I'm ... pleased with," he said.
Mayor and commissioners outlined the budget schedule: additional public hearings include May 21, June 2 and June 4, with final budget approval set for June 9 at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners used the agenda-setting meeting to raise a few preliminary budget requests: Commissioner Taylor said he would ask for funds to support an investigator for the Public Defender's Office; Commissioner Fisher flagged medical expense lines for the Sheriff's Office and urged parity in related funding conversations.
Assistant and department staff will return to the commission with requested details and answers before formal votes. The commission adjourned the special called session and moved into agenda setting, and members encouraged residents and agency representatives (including the library) to appear at upcoming hearings to give detailed input.
Next steps: the commission will hold additional public hearings and will finalize the FY27 budget at the June 9 meeting; the library and other agencies are scheduled to present at the next round of hearings.
