Seven municipalities have signed on to San Mateo (Calif.) County's new city-county library system, but four others—Woodside, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Brisbane—are stalling for a more equitable arrangement. The August 25 San Jose Mercury News reported that these "small but wealthy" towns are distressed that they would be providing more funding than they receive in library services.
Also at issue is the county's financial commitment to the system. "We want some kind of ongoing assurance that we're not going to have to worry about fighting this [funding] battle each year," Woodside Town Manager Susan George said. "I don't want any nasty surprises down the road."
George said the four cities would submit their recommendations to the county, but they have to await the county's draft agreement in late September. Holdout cities must decide by the end of the year to join or break away.
Posted August 31, 1998.