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  • Sheila Harris Mother nature is playing no favorites across the nation this week, as unseasonably cold weather, snow and ice have affected, or are affecting, the majority of states. Millions in the U.S. are without power. In Barry County, both Barry Elec

Voters to consider library tax levy increase

March 30, 2016
Charlea Estes

      Barry County and Lawrence County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a increase in the current library tax levy that funds the Barry-Lawrence Regional Libraries. The issue will be up for a vote on the April 5 General Municipal Election ballots in both counties.
      Currently, the library system is funded by a 15-cent property tax levy to run the ten different branches. If the property tax-levy increases, the change will be an additional 7-cents, bringing it up to 22-cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. The change would be an additional $600,000 in funding annually for the libraries, according to information provided by the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.
       Part of the reasoning for the Barry-Lawrence Library Board seeking additional funding was the loss of 2-cents on the property tax levy after 2008. The tax levy used to be 17-cents, but due to the Hancock Amendment, the library had to roll back their property tax to last voter-approved levy, which dated back to 1973. The library gets approximately 85 percent of their funding from taxes. The loss of the funding equated to around $250,000 between the two counties, according to library director Gina Milburn.
      Due to decreases in tax revenue, some of the library system’s ten branches have had to scale back hours and staff. With approval of the levy, the library plans to increase staff and services.
      For homeowners, the increase for the levy would mean an increase of around $13.30 per year on a $100,000 home or $19.95 for a $200,000 home. For vehicles, the increase would mean approximately $2.33 per year on a $10,000 vehicle and $4.67 for a $20,000 vehicle.
      Opponents of the levy increase have raised questions about why the library is increasing the levy by 7-cents when their loss was only 2-cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In response, the library board released information stating that the Missouri State Library as well as Missouri State Statutes say a library needs at least 20-cents in property tax levy to provide “adequate” service.
       According Milburn, funds from the property tax levy will be used for a number of projects, including: more DVDs, audiobooks and books for patrons, new e-books and e-audiobooks as well as e-readers for customers to check out, streaming music and movies for checkout, digital downloadable magazines for checkout, provide Pop Up Library mobile services to underserved communities in both counties, extended branch hours at most locations based on customer needs, a wider variety of databases and job skills training, and provide upgrades and improvements to library facilities.
      The Barry-Lawrence Regional Library is made up ten branches: Aurora, Cassville, Eagle Rock, Marionville, Miller, Mt. Vernon, Monett, Purdy, Pierce City and Shell Knob. For more information on the tax levy, the Monett Branch Library can be reached at (417) 235-6466.
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  • Home
  • This Week's Issue
    • New 39th Circuit, county clerk appointments made
    • Cookbook sales benefit Backpack Program at Cassville R-IV
    • DeGraffenreid, Shelter Insurance Foundation Sponsor Scholarship
    • Health department taking names for vaccines
    • Letter to The Editor
    • Roark Family Health to host free COVID-19 testing clinics
    • Exeter High School celebrates homecoming
    • Freedom Bank helps bringweather stations to Cassville R-IV
    • Purdy Eagles improve to 13-4
    • Cox, Mercy collaborate to vaccinate
    • Area crashes result in moderate, minor injuries
    • Purdy High School crowns homecoming royalty
    • Hwy. 76 closed, 2/11, 12 - 4 p.m.
    • Herschel Stehlik receives recognition
    • Tip-off royalty crowned at CHS
    • CHS Class of '65 donates to museum
    • Going wins spelling bee for second consecutive year
    • Arning Restructures Board of Directors
    • Contest on ballot area school boards
    • Health department reports COVID-19 death
    • Local Shriners Honored
    • Five Wildcats on National Signing Day
    • Southwest's Sickles wins road race debut
    • Beloved Angels of Valentine's Day 2021
    • Stokes plays historic game at MSSU
    • Crowder cancels Tuesday classes
    • Liberty Utilities warns of blackouts
    • Barry Electric issues alert
    • Resident reminds of property tax credit for eligible seniors
    • Property rights: When private and public collide
    • Eunice Thomas Elementary to see change in leadership
    • Winter blankets the county
    • CoxHealth changes starting wage, compensation model
    • General Municipal Absentee Voting Begins Tuesday, February 23, 2021
    • Purdy R-II purchases bus radio system
    • Walmart Pharmacies offer COVID-19 vaccines
    • Health department postpones vaccine clinics
    • Beck Farm recognized as Missouri Century Farm award
    • Applications being accepted for 2021 Century Farm
    • DHSS collaborates with area agencies to ensure vaccine access for seniors
    • Basketball tournament brackets released
    • Blue Eye edges Southwest
    • Eunice Thomas January Students of The Month
    • Purdy January medalists announced
    • Southwest Elementary Students of The Month Named
    • Understanding County Aid Road Trust (CART) Funds
    • The Wildcat Takedown Club brings home awards
  • Classifieds
  • Obituaries
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Rates
    • Place Ad
  • Contact us
  • Archives
  • Subscription
  • Sheila Harris Mother nature is playing no favorites across the nation this week, as unseasonably cold weather, snow and ice have affected, or are affecting, the majority of states. Millions in the U.S. are without power. In Barry County, both Barry Elec