Barry, Lawrence voters turn down library levy increase
April 6, 2016
Charlea Estes
Voters in both Barry and Lawrence counties soundly defeated a proposed 7 cent property tax levy increase that would have added an additional $600,000 annually to the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library budget.
Barry County voters went against the issue with only 36 percent of the 3,141 voters in favor of the issue. The vote was split by 883 votes. Yes votes totalled 1,129 with 2,012 in opposition. Lawrence County voters were more favorable to the issue with 1,443 in favor versus 1,744 opposed. Around 45 percent of Lawrence County voters were in favor. A simple majority among the two counties would have been necessary for the increase to pass.
The library board proposed the property tax levy increase to combat budget issues that have been plaguing the library system of ten branches since 2008 when the property tax levy was rolled back from 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to 15 cents.
Barry-Lawrence Regional Library board president Ann Hall said, “Obviously, we’re extremely disappointed because we’re looking to expand our services. Right now, we’re going to have to fall back and relook at everything to determine what is the best use of the library funds and find out what our patrons want.”
Multiple branches within the library system that covers both counties have had staff and hours cut to compensate for the budget constraints. The board hoped to use additional funds from the increase to purchase new materials, do maintenance projects and put the library branches back up to full hours of operation. However, now the board will have to come up with other options with the property tax levy remaining the same.
Hall said, “I can’t see that we increase hours in our branches. With our income we have and the branches we have, we can’t do that.
“We’re going to have to make hard decisions. We’re not going to be able to continue out expansion of existing services with the funding we currently have. We’re not going to be able to stretch the budget that far.”
Hall did want to reassure library patrons that the library would continue to operate, just with different priorities. She said, “We’re going to continue to offer print books and ebooks, but the quantity is the question.”
Charlea Estes
Voters in both Barry and Lawrence counties soundly defeated a proposed 7 cent property tax levy increase that would have added an additional $600,000 annually to the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library budget.
Barry County voters went against the issue with only 36 percent of the 3,141 voters in favor of the issue. The vote was split by 883 votes. Yes votes totalled 1,129 with 2,012 in opposition. Lawrence County voters were more favorable to the issue with 1,443 in favor versus 1,744 opposed. Around 45 percent of Lawrence County voters were in favor. A simple majority among the two counties would have been necessary for the increase to pass.
The library board proposed the property tax levy increase to combat budget issues that have been plaguing the library system of ten branches since 2008 when the property tax levy was rolled back from 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to 15 cents.
Barry-Lawrence Regional Library board president Ann Hall said, “Obviously, we’re extremely disappointed because we’re looking to expand our services. Right now, we’re going to have to fall back and relook at everything to determine what is the best use of the library funds and find out what our patrons want.”
Multiple branches within the library system that covers both counties have had staff and hours cut to compensate for the budget constraints. The board hoped to use additional funds from the increase to purchase new materials, do maintenance projects and put the library branches back up to full hours of operation. However, now the board will have to come up with other options with the property tax levy remaining the same.
Hall said, “I can’t see that we increase hours in our branches. With our income we have and the branches we have, we can’t do that.
“We’re going to have to make hard decisions. We’re not going to be able to continue out expansion of existing services with the funding we currently have. We’re not going to be able to stretch the budget that far.”
Hall did want to reassure library patrons that the library would continue to operate, just with different priorities. She said, “We’re going to continue to offer print books and ebooks, but the quantity is the question.”