Loomis council votes to put quarter-cent library sales tax continuation on November ballot

The Loomis Town Council voted unanimously to waive further reading of a proposed ordinance that would place a continuation of the town's existing one-quarter percent transactions-and-use sales tax for the Loomis Library on the November 2024 ballot.

Town Manager Wes told the council the tax (Measure F) was enacted after Placer County closed the Loomis branch in 2016 and that the measure currently expires in 2026. Wes said placing the continuation measure on the November 2024 ballot is needed to avoid a funding gap; if voters approve the extension the town would not begin to receive revenue until the April quarter following approval. "If it goes on the ballot in November, the tax revenue would not be received until the subsequent quarter," Wes said.

Several residents and library supporters urged the council to move the measure forward. Deborah Crosby, a Loomis resident and library assistant, described the library as "a small but mighty institution" and said programs there save families money and provide services that make Loomis more attractive to visitors and new residents. Anne Baker, speaking for a supporters' committee, told the council that polling shows about 75% voter support when respondents heard the ballot wording and urged the council to give voters the choice in November.

Council member Amanda moved to waive further reading of the resolution and ordinance and to schedule the second reading for the June meeting; the motion was seconded and approved by a unanimous vote. Council members recorded "aye" during the roll call, and the measure will return for the required second reading in June before final action to place it on the ballot.

The vote does not enact the tax; it simply allows the town to proceed with the legal steps needed to present the continuation measure to voters. If the council approves the ordinance at the second reading and the measure is placed on the ballot, revenue would begin to appear in town accounts the April following voter approval.