Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending Exhibit A to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Fee and Fine Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20230816-007) to remove the non-resident library card fee for residents of the City’s limited purpose and extraterritorial jurisdictions.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Library
Fiscal Note
This item is projected to result in unrealized revenue in the amount of $65,000 in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Library Department’s Operating Budget. A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
December 14, 2023 - Council approved Resolution No. 20231214-068 directing the City Manager to bring an ordinance to Council to amend the City Fee and Fine Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20230816-007) to remove the non-resident library card fee for residents of the City’s limited purpose and extraterritorial jurisdictions from the fee schedule on consent on a 10-0 vote.
For More Information:
Roosevelt Weeks, Director, 512-974-7444; Christina Nelson, Library Division Manager, 512-974-7427.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
November 27, 2023 - -the Library Commission recommended to expand library access by eliminating the non-resident fee for those who live in limited purpose and extra-territorial jurisdictions.
Additional Backup Information:
This item will amend the fee and fine ordinance to allow any person that resides within the City’s full-purpose jurisdiction, limited purpose jurisdictions, or extraterritorial jurisdiction, to be eligible to apply for a free Austin Public Library card. Currently, only Austinites living in the City’s full-purpose jurisdiction are entitled to receive a library card free of charge and persons living in surrounding areas, including in the LTD and ETJ, would pay a nonresident card fee of up to $120 annually to obtain a library card. This nonresident fee creates an economic barrier to all individuals who may work in Austin and have been forced to relocate to surrounding areas due to gentrification and increased costs of housing that commute into Austin for work.
Austin Public Library access supports workforce and economic development, digital inclusion, STEM and computer training and literacy advancement through the many wonderful programs, services, resources and materials. Expanding access to these valuable services will only contribute to creating a more informed and skilled community for all Austin residents.
The City’s Jurisdiction Web Map is available to help interested persons determine whether they are in the ETJ or LTD. It is available at: https://maps.austintexas.gov/GIS/JurisdictionsWebMap/.