Article published April 11, 2006
ELECTION 2006
Bluffton's library asks voters to up tax support
Levy funds targeted for building upkeep
By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
BLUFFTON - Faced with continued flat funding from the state and a larger building to heat and maintain, the Bluffton Public Library is asking voters to increase their share of local tax support.
On May 2, voters will be asked to replace a 0.6-mill operating levy and increase it by 0.4 mills, creating a 1-mill, 10-year levy that would generate an estimated $121,268 a year. The existing 0.6-mill levy, which voters first approved in 1981, currently generates about $58,600 a year.
"This is a considerable jump but we only do this every 10 years, and we're planning that this is going to cover 10 years worth of inflation," said Library Director Sheryl Schirmer.
She said the library is not planning to add staff or programming but simply needs the additional funds to meet rising expenses, including utilities.
In 2001, Bluffton voters approved a 27-year, 1.18-mill bond issue that allowed the library to increase its size from 7,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet. The $1.96 million expansion included a new children's area, an adult reading room, meeting space, and computers.
"The larger building makes for obviously more expenses - just in terms of window washing, lawn mowing, and of course utilities," Ms. Schirmer said. "We've always spent very conservatively."Across Ohio, more public libraries are seeking local tax dollars to supplement funding they have traditionally received from the state's Library and Local Government Support fund. That funding has declined or has been frozen for the last few years.
Lynda Murray, director of government and legal services for the Ohio Library Council, said between 28 percent and 30 percent of public libraries in Ohio have operating levies in place.
"We most often see operating levies in larger library systems, but now we've seen an increase in smaller libraries," she said.
Ms. Murray said libraries enjoy the highest success rate of all political subdivisions when they go to the polls, though, something she attributes to the fact that libraries provide "cradle-to-grave" services.
"And I think we have a good reputation for well-spent money," she said. "I think people think they're getting a good value for their money."
The Bluffton library, which operates on an annual budget of $399,000, has five full-time employees and a handful of part-time employees, Ms. Schirmer said.
It did not add staff after its recent expansion, she said.
All residents of the Bluffton school district, which encompasses parts of Hancock and Allen counties, will vote on the levy, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $35 a year.
Contact Jennifer Feehan
at jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-353-5972.
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