In a local game of pass the buck, it’s Chico book lovers that will likely end up in the lurch.
A dispute between city and county leaders over who should pay for expanded library hours is back in Chico’s court after the Butte County Board of Supervisors opted Tuesday not to provide the funding.
Beginning July 1, the Chico branch of the Butte County Public Library will be open 14 fewer hours a week. The branch will open two hours later Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and an hour later Thursdays and Fridays. Monday hours will be eliminated entirely.
The city has stepped into the budget breach in the past, but that’s looking doubtful this year. Chico City Manager Mark Orme said Wednesday afternoon that he had yet to hear from any members of the council about the issue.
Chico Mayor Mark Sorensen said both the city and county are facing the “not-so-fun part” of municipal budgeting — making cuts to worthy causes.
The tug of war over library funding dates back to the expansion of what was once a single Chico library funded by the city, into a system of six branches throughout the county. Hours at the other five branches are not affected.