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Local News
Library levy approved for ballot
July 30, 2008 at 12:13 pm
The Marysville Public Library is seeking voter approval of a 1-mill operating levy on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The levy will replace the library’s current five-year, 1-mill operating levy. That levy was approved in 2004 and expires Dec. 31.
Replacing the 1-mill levy will cost the homeowner of a $100,000 house an additional $4.90 annually. The replacement levy is estimated to generate $834,000 a year.
The library will schedule a public forum in October to answer questions from the public.
“The Library's 1-mill levy provides half the library’s income. The replacement of this is essential for the library to maintain its current level of services to our community,” said David Speicher, president of the library board of trustees
“We are in tough economic times and the library board is sensitive to this. We are not asking voters to approve additional millage,” said Sue Irwin, co-chairperson of Support Your Library Levy Committee and library board of trustees member. “The resources and services available at Marysville’s main library and the Raymond branch are important to people of all ages and incomes.
Irwin said the current levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home about $25.74 per year. The replacement levy will cost that same homeowner about $30.64 per year.“The library relies heavily on the operating levy. Though the number of people using the library has dramatically increased from 10,638 in 2001 to more than 25,000 in 2008, our state funding has decreased from $814,560 in 2001 to $752,640 in 2007,” said library director Ryan McDonnell.
Lisa Wellman, co-chairperson of Support Your Library Levy Committee and library board of trustees member, said “The funds from the passage of this operating levy will be used to keep an extremely valuable resource operating at its current level to bring programs and services that the community wants and needs. In tough economic times, a person can turn to the library to borrow — at no charge — a book, CD, DVD, magazine or other materials that otherwise they would pay for. More importantly, all types of computer classes are offered free of charge to help build skills that may help boost a person’s resume if they are job hunting.”
Library officials are quick to point out that while it is a school district library, it does not receive any funding from the Marysville School District.
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