Library tax plan advances

A Los Angeles city panel today recommended asking voters to pay a $39-a-year parcel tax to keep libraries open six days a week, but had questions on when it should go on the ballot.

The City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee supports the measure that would generate an estimated $30 million annually, but balked at the $4.6 million cost to place it on the county ballot in November.

"It is a county election and this is the cost they have to place a measure before voters," said Assistant City Clerk Holly Wolcott, adding that the cost for the city to conduct its own election would be $18 million.