On Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, Rolling
Hills Library will hold an election to ask voters in Andrew County
and parts of Buchanan County to continue the portion of its operating levy that
is sunsetting after 20 years.
In 1999, voters approved a
15-cent increase to the library’s then-existing levy of 16 cents, raising it to
$0.31 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. Voters will
decide if the levy should remain at that amount for another 20 years. If it
fails, the levy would expire at the end of 2019 and cut the
library’s budget in half.
The 15-cent levy has been
important to the library’s growth, Library Director Michelle Mears said.
“We have improved and
expanded our library branches, reinstituted bookmobile service to schools and
rural communities, added to both the physical and digital collections, and provided
top-notch programs and services, including traveling exhibits and becoming a passport
acceptance facility,” she said.
If the levy passes, the
library will continue to grow its material collection, increase its early
literacy offerings, add more modern technology, and increase partnerships with
local businesses and non-profits to improve the two counties, Mears said.
An election loss would mean
cutbacks in library hours, staff, and materials.
“Because it is nearly half of
our operating budget, we would have to reduce or eliminate programs and stop
hosting our early literacy exhibits from children’s museums across the
country,” Mears said.
The Rolling Hills Library
district takes in all of Andrew County and the rural parts of Buchanan County
outside of the 1965 St. Joseph city limits. Some areas in east, northeast, and
south St. Joseph now fall within the district because of city growth
after 1965. Voters who are unsure if they reside in the Rolling Hills district
can consult their voter registration cards, property tax statements,
or a map on the Levy Info page of the library’s website, rhcl.org, or ask at the Belt
Branch, Savannah Branch, or Bookmobile.
The last day to register to
vote for the Aug. 6 election is Wednesday, July 10.
