Crawford County leaders asked to increase library tax

May 03--Crawford County's public libraries are asking the county to increase the county's dedicated library tax.

Since 1986, the county has levied a 0.6-mill real estate tax dedicated to funding the county Federated Library System's nine libraries. The tax has not increased since it was established by public referendum.

John Brice, chief executive officer of the county library system, asked for an increase to 0.7 mills for a number of reasons, including a decrease of 25 percent in state support during the past decade.

All nine county libraries provide not only books but other media and internet access, Brice said. The libraries have been able to adapt and add technology over the years, but that is coming to a close without additional funding help.

Brice said 31 percent of county households don't have internet access at home, yet many state and federal agencies require application for services via the internet.

Increasing the county's dedicated library tax from 0.6 mills of real estate tax to 0.7 mills would generate approximately $90,000 a year, Brice said. Based on the median county real estate assessment of $25,000 it would cost the average Crawford County taxpayer an extra $2.50 per year.

The additional revenue would benefit the nine county libraries in a number of ways, Brice said. The money would be used to increase print material spending, provide additional technology training, increase spending on educational resources and increase hours of operation to allow more working families to visit the libraries.

A recent return on investment study showed that for each dollar spent on public libraries, the Crawford County community received $4.19 in benefits, Brice said.

According to Brice, a 2016 Pew Research Center Study found 77 percent of Americans think public libraries provide them with the resources they need and 66 percent said closing their local public library would have a major impact on their community.

Commissioners took the county library system's request under advisement.

Following the work session, commissioners told the Tribune they would look at the proposal during 2019 budget considerations.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.

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