Shutting libraries will hurt Johnson County
Bold leadership built top-flight parks and libraries in Johnson County. Now timid leadership is chipping away at the qualities of both systems.
A Star editorial Sunday pointed out the county’s years-long failure to buy and develop adequate park land to serve its fast-growing population. The parks board hasn’t aggressively championed more funding, and the County Commission has ignored its duties to spur expansion.
Sadly, the nationally acclaimed Johnson County library system seems to be in a similar situation.
Today, the library board will discuss plans that could reduce hours at three libraries — Oak Park, Cedar Roe and Edgerton — or even slam shut their doors.
“We hate the idea of closing branches,” board chair Kristin Hansen said Wednesday.
But that’s a distinct possibility given the county’s budget problems and the directive from county leaders that the library cut up to $3 million from its budget.
Much like other county departments, the libraries already have reduced staff and services. But at some point that erosion must end in a county that prides itself on offering an extremely high quality of life to its citizens.
Part of the county’s compact with residents is that, if they want more, they better be willing to pay for it.
Witness voters who recently approved tax increases in the Blue Valley and Gardner Edgerton school districts. How did that happen? School officials had the courage to ask for the money after putting together compelling plans to wisely use it.
And even in tight times, city officials in Overland Park and a number of other communities last year boosted their property taxes to maintain services after years of cutting. Again, the cities had the courage to raise taxes and told residents how they would benefit.
The Johnson County library system could ask the County Commission to dip into its budget reserves to prevent library closings. But that would be just a short-term fix.
Given the significance of great parks and libraries in the county, both the parks and library boards should be exploring the option of asking the County Commission to increase their annual funding for years to come. That’s going to require putting together detailed plans on how those new revenues would build better parks and libraries.
If the commission balks at helping out, going to voters to get their guidance is another option. It’s time for bold leadership on these issues once again in Johnson County.
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