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Voters approve library tax increase

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Contributed by: YourHub.com on 11/7/2006

ADAMS COUNTY - It appears the third time is a charm for the Rangeview Library District.

Ballot issue 5A, a mill levy tax increase that would benefit the county's libraries, appears to have barely squeaked by on election day. With 179 of 180 precincts reporting, the ballot question appears to have won by 1.5 percent or justmore than250 votes. It is the third time in nine years that the district has gone to the voters asking for an increase in funding.

Kay Riddle, president of the library district's board of directors, is still cautiously optimistic about the results.

"It would be a wonderful miracle if we won," she said. "We won with very little money and with only volunteers and members of the board working day and night."

The mill-levy increase will fund construction of two new buildings for the Northglenn and Thornton branches as well as additions to the Brighton, Commerce City and Perl Mack branches.

Most of the new funds, however, will go toward basic operating costs, including new books, computers and the addition of wireless access for library patrons.

The tax increase will cost taxpayers an estimated $18 a year per $100,000 of property value.

The Rangeview Library District, which is currently one of the most poorly funded libraries in the Denver metro area, will still be at the bottom of the heap in terms of funding.

"But now, we just won't be so far at the bottom," Riddle said.

A similar proposal to expand the district, ballot issue 5B, lost in the last election.

The proposal lost by about a 9 percent margin, 45-54 percent or by about 4,400 votes.

The ballot question was similar to this year's question. It would have paved the way for construction of several new libraries, including a large new branch library that will serve Northglenn, Thornton and Federal Heights, a new library that will serve unincorporated Adams County and a new library in Commerce City.

It would have also provided funding for the renovation of the Brighton, Commerce City and Federal Heights libraries.

Ann Myers, spokesperson for the library district, said it is a great victory for the residents of Adams County.

"I think the people of Adams County will be pleased that they have decided to invest in this important community resource," Myers said.

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Submitted By: Janice Koch

posted on 11/9/2006 @ 11:32:32 AM

Rated Story

I understand James Miller, Councilmand of Northglenn really fought for your cause.

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