Voters will have chance April 2 to lower library tax levy
On Tuesday, April 2, Rolling Hills Library will ask voters in Andrew County and parts of Buchanan County to “right-size” its tax levy by reducing the overall amount by 3 cents and ending the 20-year sunset on one half of the overall levy. The library passed a renewal of the sunset portion of the levy in August 2019 with 80% voter approval.
The library now wants to lower the total levy because it has found it can continue providing a growing collection, educational programs and modern resources for its users at the lower amount.
“We are not asking for an increase, only to combine our operating levies into one and decrease the total from 31 cents to 28 cents,” library Director Michelle Mears said.
The move also is an important step for building the library’s planned new St. Joseph location that would replace the Belt Branch, 1904 N. Belt. To fund the project, the library would use reserve funds for about half of the costs and issue construction bonds for the other half. But to issue bonds, the sunset needs to be removed to assure the bonds could be paid across a reasonable term and leave enough tax funds for annual operations.
“Without this change, it would be like a person buying a house on a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year note. That makes those payments kind of steep,” Mears said.
Mears also commented on the overall library budget: “Inflation has had an effect on library budgets, like everything else. In order for staff salaries and benefits to keep up with minimum wage and be comparable with local employers, the library needs stable funding. We can’t make long-term commitments or plans with sunset levies.”
The project to construct a new facility will proceed even if this levy vote fails, and the library board has the option to try again at a later election date. A shorter repayment term could lead to cutting the size of the project to have lower bond payments, which could mean if future building expansions are needed construction costs could be more expensive.
Wednesday, March 6, is the last day to register to vote in the April 2 election. Property owners within the Rolling Hills district do not pay taxes for St. Joseph Public Library, as property owners only pay a library tax for the districts where they own property.
For more information about the levy issue, visit rhcl.org/levy-info or call Michelle Mears at 816-205-7000.
