Referendum Information
Referendum Events:
-January 24: Open House @ City Hall from 2-5pm
-February 1: Referendum Coffee @ the library from 10-11am
Come and learn more about the referendum!
We are busting at the seams! A new item comes in…an old one must go out. Attendance at programs is maxed out. Computers sessions equal one per hour per day that we are open.
We want to provide more materials, hours, programs, and computers for our community! The first step towards our goal of a new, larger library is to secure our financial future. We want to restore cuts that have been made and expand our services.
Do you want all of this too?
Vote February 5, 2008!
While 5/3 Bank has ended negotiations with the library to purchase and renovate their downtown location into a new library, the library remains committed to securing a downtown location for a larger, more enhanced library. Our eggs are not all in one basket! During the years that we negotiated with 5/3 Bank, we worked on other possibilities for our future location. Those plans are being explored and have the possibility of becoming reality if we can secure the library’s financial future through a successful referendum. You can help us to do that by voting on February 5, 2008!
· The library is seeking a property tax increase of .12% per $100 of equalized assessed valuation (EAV) of the property in the City of Effingham, which would yield approximately an additional $252,000 per year starting on May 1, 2009 (based on current EAV). The library’s current operating tax rate is .15% per $100 of EAV, which will yield approximately $315,000 for Fiscal Year 2009.
| Fair Cash Value of Property |
Increased Amount |
|
$250,000.00 |
$95.80 |
|
$200,000.00 |
$75.80 |
|
$150,000.00 |
$55.80 |
|
$100,000.00 |
$35.80 |
|
$75,000.00 |
$25.80 |
|
$50,000.00 |
$15.80 |
· The funds from this increase will immediately add to and enhance library services. The library intends to expand library hours, add programs, purchase more materials, and upgrade and increase public access Internet computers. We are committed to:
o Expanding operating hours by 11 hours a week (NEW HOURS: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.);
o Adding over 1,400 additional items to our collection per year (including more DVDs, books-on-CD, best selling fiction and large print);
o Upgrading all library computers and adding more as space allows;
o And, restoring previously cut programs, including more free computer classes and programs for children, adults, and families.
· The Library Board has also signed an option with the City of Effingham to sell the 5 acres on N. Maple St., once considered as a site for a new library, to the City for the proposed Sports Center. This option comes due March 24, 2008. A 2006 library survey showed that citizens overwhelmingly preferred a downtown location for the library and new construction is cost prohibitive. Funds from the sale of the 5 acres will go into a fund that can only be used for capital projects. We still need a new, larger library, and we will continue to work towards that goal until it is a reality!
· The library continues to work with the City of Effingham, the Effingham County Community Foundation, and private individuals on a new, larger facility for the library.
Click here for a printable version of our fact sheet.
Click here to read the local news coverage of the referendum and new building.
Updated: 01/17/2008