News
ENLARGE
In lighter moments, Madelyn Helling chuckles over the fact her name is affixed to the Nevada County library she used to run; it's an honor normally reserved for the dead.
It will be no laughing matter Tuesday morning, when Helling leads a rally in that library's shadow at the county government's Rood Center in Nevada City. She and others will be protesting a plan to outsource library management to a private firm just prior to the 9 a.m. Board of Supervisors meeting.
In October, County Executive Officer Rick Haffey projected a $400,000 shortfall for the library system's $2.4 million budget for 2010-11. With sales and property taxes plunging, that deficit could balloon to $2 million by 2012-13, according to county administrators.
Library Systems and Services, of Germantown, Md., was the only company to respond to the county's request for proposals by Thursday's deadline. Library Associates Companies of Beverly Hills was initially interested, but did not submit a proposal.
The Friends of Nevada County Libraries also submitted a proposal, and sent a copy to The Union. Their proposal is limited to running the Doris Foley Historical Library in Nevada City two days a week.
At first, county officials weren't going to release the details of proposals to the public until they had been reviewed by an “evaluation committee” and a recommendation to the board had been provided. Library Systems CEO Frank Pezzanite said Thursday he couldn't divulge what was in his proposal because he did not want to jeopardize its chances with county officials.
But late Friday, Chief Information Officer Steve Monaghan said the county wanted to be “as transparent as possible,” by putting both proposals on the county's Web site today. The proposals are not competitive, and “there is no risk to negotiating a contract with them being public now,” Monahan said.
The proposals will now go to the special committee, which will evaluate them, based on the applicant's numbers and perceived ability to perform.
The committee had a tentative schedule to deliver a contract recommendation in December so that services could begin in February.
“I think it will be pushed back a bit from that to give time for the committee review,” said Assistant County Executive Officer Laura Matteson.
“That was a minimum time. It will most likely be longer,” before the committee makes a recommendation.
Helling said Friday it will be a bit strange to be standing in front of the Rood Center amid protest signs within view of her namesake library.
“I wasn't intending to be this prominent in this, but it was needed,” Helling said.
About 1,000 signatures have been gathered for a petition asking the Board of Supervisors to not contract the library services to any private company, Helling said.
“I'm getting calls from people who want petitions, and I'm delivering them places,” Helling said. “The petitions are heightening the awareness.”
The proposals can be found at docs.co.nevada.ca.us/dsweb/View/Collecton-56472.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
It will be no laughing matter Tuesday morning, when Helling leads a rally in that library's shadow at the county government's Rood Center in Nevada City. She and others will be protesting a plan to outsource library management to a private firm just prior to the 9 a.m. Board of Supervisors meeting.
In October, County Executive Officer Rick Haffey projected a $400,000 shortfall for the library system's $2.4 million budget for 2010-11. With sales and property taxes plunging, that deficit could balloon to $2 million by 2012-13, according to county administrators.
Library Systems and Services, of Germantown, Md., was the only company to respond to the county's request for proposals by Thursday's deadline. Library Associates Companies of Beverly Hills was initially interested, but did not submit a proposal.
The Friends of Nevada County Libraries also submitted a proposal, and sent a copy to The Union. Their proposal is limited to running the Doris Foley Historical Library in Nevada City two days a week.
At first, county officials weren't going to release the details of proposals to the public until they had been reviewed by an “evaluation committee” and a recommendation to the board had been provided. Library Systems CEO Frank Pezzanite said Thursday he couldn't divulge what was in his proposal because he did not want to jeopardize its chances with county officials.
But late Friday, Chief Information Officer Steve Monaghan said the county wanted to be “as transparent as possible,” by putting both proposals on the county's Web site today. The proposals are not competitive, and “there is no risk to negotiating a contract with them being public now,” Monahan said.
The proposals will now go to the special committee, which will evaluate them, based on the applicant's numbers and perceived ability to perform.
The committee had a tentative schedule to deliver a contract recommendation in December so that services could begin in February.
“I think it will be pushed back a bit from that to give time for the committee review,” said Assistant County Executive Officer Laura Matteson.
“That was a minimum time. It will most likely be longer,” before the committee makes a recommendation.
Helling said Friday it will be a bit strange to be standing in front of the Rood Center amid protest signs within view of her namesake library.
“I wasn't intending to be this prominent in this, but it was needed,” Helling said.
About 1,000 signatures have been gathered for a petition asking the Board of Supervisors to not contract the library services to any private company, Helling said.
“I'm getting calls from people who want petitions, and I'm delivering them places,” Helling said. “The petitions are heightening the awareness.”
The proposals can be found at docs.co.nevada.ca.us/dsweb/View/Collecton-56472.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
