July 7, 2026 |
Photo – Bigfoot 99 File Photo
Saratoga officials agreed to spend up to $5,000 to continue the process of taking ownership of the town’s library.
Last year’s statewide property tax cuts resulted in lower revenues for local governments. Carbon County lost approximately $500,000 in residential property tax revenue last fiscal year, prompting a funding reduction to outside services, including museums, senior centers, and libraries.
The Carbon County Library System saw a 53 percent reduction in its county contribution, prompting Library Board members to seek additional financial support from participating municipalities. That request led Saratoga officials to begin the process of taking ownership of the town’s library branch from the county. The arrangement would move building‑maintenance responsibilities to the town, potentially freeing additional county funding for the library system as a whole.
The process for Saratoga to assume ownership of the library began last year, but progress has been slow. The property is technically owned by Carbon County School District Two. The school district originally deeded the land to the county on the condition that if it was no longer used as a library, ownership would revert to the school. As part of its agreement with Saratoga, the county planned to place a deed restriction on the property requiring that it be used for the public good, but not specifically as a library, given that the concept of a library may evolve in the future. The county needs the school district to approve the change before the deal can be finalized.
During the July 1st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that he was still in talks with School District Two and the county to have the town assume ownership of the library building and the 1.2 acres of land it occupies.
Mayor Davis said before the deal can move forward, a survey is needed to establish who owns which portions of the property.
Mayor Davis said he contacted Engineering Associates to handle the required survey work. The local infrastructure consulting firm offered to identify the boundaries of blocks two through five in the Valley View Addition, which includes the Saratoga Library, and determine the ownership status of properties in the area. The findings will help to clarify which properties the town owns and show where additional survey work may be needed.
Mayor Davis said the project is not expected to cost more than $5,000.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved up to $5,000 for Engineering Associates to survey the Valley View Addition. After finishing the job, Engineering Associates will provide cost estimates for surveying additional properties in the area the town may be interested in selling.
