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Deadline pressures library levy vote

Mechanicsburg Library hopes school board OKs ballot issue in time to meet filing deadline for May election.

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer Updated 6:28 PM Tuesday, February 9, 2010

MECHANICSBURG — Mechanicsburg Library officials hope to place a new operating levy on the ballot this spring, but will have to hustle to beat a Feb. 18 filing deadline.

The board is hoping to place a 1-mill levy on the May 4 ballot that would generate $80,841 in operating funds, library board President Kay Miller said.

The levy, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an average of $35 a year, would cover costs such as utilities and other expenses that would allow the library to operate its hours, staffing, programs and services at current levels. The library had to lay off several employees late last year to cut expenses.

The Mechanicsburg school board was to meet Monday, Feb. 8, to decide whether to place the levy on the ballot.

Because the library is under the taxing authority of the school district, the library cannot pass a levy with the school board’s approval. Monday’s school board meeting was canceled, Miller said, meaning the library and school boards must move quickly to meet the Feb. 18 deadline to file for the ballot.

“It’s still doable but everything has to go perfectly,” Miller said.

School district officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Miller said she expects the school board to meet Monday, Feb. 15.

If they receive the approval from the school district, library board member Shirley Keiser said board members will have to rush the proposal to the Champaign County Auditor’s Office for final approval to beat the deadline.

She said the auditor’s office has been helpful with the issue.

“She has been terrific in her response to us,” Keiser said of county Auditor Karen Bailey.

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May I suggest to News-Sun to proof-read!

"Because the library is under the taxing authority of the school district, the library cannot pass a levy with the school board’s approval. "

I think you mean without the school board's approval. Everyday it seems we as a society strive to be fast...without checking on being correct.

larry
8:40 PM, 2/9/2010

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Good luck, Mechanicsburg! I hope you make your filing deadline, and I hope your tax payers appreciate all you do for them.

Spflder
6:36 PM, 2/9/2010

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