JAMESTOWN – Residents in Jamestown will get the chance to vote on creating an $850,000 tax for the James Prendergast Library this week.
On Tuesday any resident who is eligible to vote in the Jamestown School District (which includes some areas outside of the city limits) will also be eligible to vote on the funding initiative, with hours running from noon to 9 p.m. at the library, located at 509 Cherry St.
Under state law, the school district is required to help facilitate the vote because the library is not legally allowed to put a taxing referendum up for a vote on its own. The specific language of the referendum, which will require a “yes” or “no” vote, is as follows:
“Shall the sum of $850,000 be raised by annual levy of a tax upon the taxable real property within the Jamestown School District for the purpose of funding the James Prendergast Library Association?”
Library officials have said the funding initiative is necessary due to a loss in revenue in recent years – mostly from a decline in fundraising as well as in aid from the city. They say that by establishing an annual tax, the library will have a reliable source of funding to ensure it continues to provide the same level of services to the community.
The library also says that an annual tax will also allow it to work toward restoring its endowment fund, which has been raided in recent years to balance annual budget shortfalls. Without the funding, library officials say some current services will likely be eliminated, along with both staffing and hours.
The library has already had to make staffing adjustments to help offset a budget shortfall in 2016, as well as closing its doors to the public on Sundays.
Tax Dollars Pay for 30 Percent of Current Library Budget
The library budget for the current operating year is 1,132,000 dollars, with $350,000 coming from the city and $72,000 coming from the state. That’s just over 30 percent of its budget being covered by tax payer money. However, with the city of Jamestown facing a large budget gap for 2017 there’s a good chance it’s contribution to the library will be cut further next year if not eliminated altogether.
The remaining 69 percent of funding for the library’s budget comes by way of support from foundations, donations, from the community, fundraising, and from fees that the library is allowed to charge to patrons – such as overdue book fees.
Opponents Say Property Owners are Already Overburdened, Can’t Afford More Taxes
Opponents of the funding initiative say it would create another unwanted annual tax for city residents, who are already overburdened with high taxes from the city, school district and county.
In 2016, a property owner in Jamestown who’s home is assessed at $50,000 is charged an estimated total of $2600 in property taxes before any rebates like STAR are applied. If the library’s funding initiative is approved, another $55 each year would be tacked on to that total amount.
Library officials counter the argument by saying the $55 is a small and reasonable amount to pay to support a public library. They also point out that unlike city, school and county taxes, the library would have no ability to increase the $850,000 tax any further without the approval of the public through another referendum.
Again the vote on the library funding initiative will take place on Tuesday, June 7 from noon to 9 p.m. at the library. All voters eligible to vote in the school district elections and budget vote would also be eligible to vote on the library funding initiative.
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