The Arkansas City Public Library is hoping to generate more income by expanding its taxing boundaries from the city limits to the borders of the entire USD 470 District. Library Director Mendy Pfannenstiel said those outside of the city limits are able to make used of the library but don’t pay taxes to support it. While Ark City residents most recently paid 6 mills, those in rural areas currently pay 1.229 mills to the South-Central Kansas Library System in Hutchinson. The expanded boundaries would bring in an estimated $700,000 compared to the current $450,000 for library operations. That’s if voters approve it. A question on the ballot this Nov. 5 for voters in the USD 470 District will ask whether they agree to expand the library taxing boundaries. Most voters — those living in the city limits — would see a small reduction in their property tax levied by the library. The reduction to 5 mills would equal $57, about $12 less, on a $100,000 property. But those outside the city limits and within the school district boundaries would pay about $40 more on that same $100,000. “In other words, all patrons of USD 470 would pay the same to support the Arkansas City Library,” Pfannenstiel said. The extra $250,000 would be unused to improve services and extend the library’s outreach to disadvantaged and rural areas. They could provide programs such as the bookmobile, along with early childhood literacy and family support to those areas. Rural citizens would also be able to make use of services such as the Libby digital book service, which allows them to check out electronic books at no charge. The additional funds would also put the library in a better position to update the local facility and its outdated furnishings and technology, she added.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
