On May 20th, 2014, Walker County residents will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum that will provide a stable level of funding necessary to meet the annual operating budgets of the three public libraries in Walker County. The cost to the average homeowner will be $10 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the May 20, 2014 Referendum
Q. What is the referendum language for the library question on the May 20th ballot?
A. “Are you in favor of Walker County levying a quarter mill of property tax to fund the operation of the Walker County Libraries?”
Q. How much is a quarter mill of property tax worth?
A. According to the 2013 Tax Digest, a quarter mill would generate somewhere between $300,000 and $350,000. The library would receive this amount directly from the Tax Commissioner’s office.
Q. What would the library do with the money?
A. In the past five years, the three libraries in Walker County have reduced their hours open to the public by over 40% - down to only 28 hours/4 days each week. Along with the reduction in hours came a reduction in staff available to assist library users and a reduction in services being offered. The revenue generated from the quarter mill would allow our libraries to open five days each week, hire additional staff and restore services such as computer training, additional children, teen and adult programming. The library would also be able to purchase much needed electronic and print resources.
Q. Why a referendum?
A. The libraries in Walker County are seeking a more stable revenue stream than is currently being provided by the current funding mechanism. The three Walker County libraries currently receive their funding from six different funding agencies spread across three different fiscal years. (The Cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette, & Rossville, Walker County Board of Education, Chickamauga City Schools and the Walker County Commissioner.) Six times each year, library administration must make their funding request to the current elected officials across each agency. Not one of the six agencies is solely responsible for funding public libraries but each share in the responsibility and some support at a higher level than others. Funding agencies often find themselves with more services to support than tax dollars can provide; as a result, reductions can be made to public libraries that impact services. Dedicating a quarter mill of Walker County property tax to the operation of the public libraries in Walker County would provide libraries with the secure annual funds needed to operate.
Q. How much will this Library referendum cost me if it passes?
A. A quarter mill increase on the average $100,000 residential home would add an additional $10 per year to your tax bill.
Q. If the public library is able to ask for a quarter mill won’t that open the door for other worthy organizations to ask for a dedicated portion of the millage rate?
A. No. There are only a few entities allowed by law to have a dedicated portion of the millage rate. Public Libraries are one of the allowed entities.
Q. Why not put a flat $10 or $20 fee on the tax bill instead of asking for a portion of the millage rate?
A. Each year, the Georgia General Assembly attempts to enact legislation to remove the ability to list and collect “FEES” on the tax bill. The dedication of a quarter mill is the most stable approach to securing library funding for the future.
Q. What if the referendum does not pass?
A. This year the three public libraries in Walker County passed operating budgets that utilized their cash reserves in order to balance their budgets. Without additional support from the taxing authorities libraries will run out of funds within one to two years.
Q. Didn’t we just vote to give the library more money in the SPLOST referendum last November?
A. The passage of last November’s SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax) referendum included $900,000 for completing the construction of the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library facility and for future renovation of the Rossville Public Library building. SPLOST dollars can only be used for capital improvements and cannot be used to operate libraries.
Q. With the immense volume of information available on the Internet, do we really even need a library?
A. Yes. Not all library patrons use the Internet. For those who do, the Internet is a phenomenal source of information, particularly in the research area. But finding just the right material on the Internet can be an overwhelming task. The Library offers the assistance of an experienced staff to help patrons find pertinent and accurate information quickly either electronically or in print.
The Library is so much more than just access to the Internet. The Library provides:
- Books. Print, audio and eBook formats
- Children’s services – Teen & Tween Programming and Summer Reading Club
- Computer labs that thrive as drop-in resource centers for job seekers
- Programming for Adults, Families, Teens, Tweens and Children of all ages
- Online databases (GALILEO)
- Current newspapers and magazines
- Trusted place for preserving local history, genealogy and special collections
- Gathering place for civic and cultural engagement
- After school hang-out spaces
- Copiers and fax machines
Our mission is to provide free and open access to information in all its many formats and to serve as a community focal point as we support the educational, civic and cultural activities of our citizens. Studies show that the presence of libraries is good for towns and cities; people find more value in areas that have
libraries nearby.
libraries nearby.
