County Contribution to Services
Financing of public library services in the County is provided through the Santa Cruz County Library Financing Authority, a Joint Powers Authority formed in 1996 by the County of Santa Cruz and the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Capitola, established for the purpose of consolidating and providing for equitable financing of library services.
Funding of the Library Financing Authority is currently provided through the proceeds of Measure R, a 1/4-cent sales tax for libraries, and from Maintenance of Effort (MOE) contributions from the general funds of the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz and the County Library Fund, which includes Capitola and Scotts Valley.
The County Board of Supervisors is responsible for allocating any excess property taxes in the fund for exclusive use on library improvements or services at County Library Fund branches.