The additional money is needed to help bridge a state funding gap, said Rachelle Via, library executive director.
“Libraries are currently being funded by the state at the year 2000 levels when state funding hit $484 million. State funding for 2024 is just under Y2K levels at $481 million,” she said. “The library has been cutting hours and services and is still spending its reserves. It’s a trend that can’t continue long term.”
Those in the Troy, Miami East, Newton and Bethel school districts will vote on the request.
The proposed tax levy would cost $35 annually for each $100,000 on the county auditor’s appraised value of property. It would generate $1,696,237 a year to allow the staff to continue providing “quality materials, excellent service and innovative programs designed to meet patron expectations,” Via said.
Added funding also would help the library to restore Sunday hours, increase Maker Lab hours, expand literacy and STEM programming, expand the summer reading program and increase the number of new books and downloadable content available to patrons.
In addition to helping cover general operating costs, the levy funds are needed for several high dollar capital projects, Via said.
Among them:
- Replacement of the original windows: $120,000.
- New flooring for the Troy and Pleasant Hill libraries. which is over a decade old: $250,000
- New bookmobile. The current vehicle is 7 years old. Life expectancy is 7-10 years: $327,000. The library has $165,000 saved.
- Brick tuckpointing, joint sealing, paint (what is already painted) @ Troy: $27,972
- Building generator replacement in 2032: $20,000
The library also has a continuing levy of 0.6 mills, which was passed in 2013. This levy being collected for residential properties at 0.4 mills costs the owner of a $100,000 home $14.44 a year.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
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