Arkansas City Public Library officials vowed to carry on after voters rejected expanding the library’s taxing district by fewer than 400 votes on Tuesday. They might even try again. The question before the roughly 15,000 voters within the 470 school district boundaries was whether to expand the library’s taxing boundaries from the city limits to the school district, which would generate about $250,000 more in operating revenue for the library. Voters said no by 359 votes, or 53.3% to 46.6%, according to the unofficial tally posted by the Cowley County Clerk’s office. A similar proposal involving the Udall Public Library did pass, 540 votes to 369. Ark City library board chair Shawna Allison said the board and director Mendy Pfannenstiel will have to discuss what the plans are moving forward, including how programs and services will be affected since the City of Arkansas City has not provided full funding for the library the past two years. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
