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Carthage Public Library District Bond Referendum Information 

For more information call the Library, 217-357-3232, email cartlib@mtcnow.net, or visit website: https://www.carthagepubliclibrary.com/bond-proposition.html

 

When do I vote?    Tuesday, April 6th between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm at your regular polling place. It will be on the consolidated election ballot for all residents of the Carthage Public Library District (same boundaries as CESD317).

What is the ballot question?    The proposition on the ballot will read as follows: Shall the bonds of the Carthage Public Library District, Hancock County, Illinois, in the amount of $1,200,000 be issued for the purpose of building and equipping a new library facility, constructing site improvements and furnishing necessary equipment in connection therewith?

How will this affect my taxes?     The tax rate will increase by approximately 9.27 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value. Property taxes are paid on assessed value, which is 1/3 of the market value of a house, after exemptions. For example 1/3 of a $100,000 house is $33,333— $6,000 homestead exemption = $27,333 x .000927=$25.34. The bonds will be paid off over a 19 year period. For more detailed tax impact estimates visit https://www.carthagepubliclibrary.com/bond-proposition.html

What about other fundraising efforts? In order to receive approved grant funds through the State Library, Carthage Library District must show proof of having raised the local cost share by June 30, 2021. Passing the bond issue would ensure that. The referendum gives the Library District the authority to issue up to $1.2 million in bonds, but they are not required to sell the entire amount. If a significant portion of the needed funds are acquired prior to issuing the bonds, the Library can reduce the amount of bonds sold.

 

What happens if the referendum passes? Grant funds of $1,258,862.94 will be released to the Library. A new 10,660 sq ft. one-story library building will be constructed at First and Center Streets, on land donated to the library, with ample green space and room for future expansion. The building will be designed as a library with ease of supervision and patron flow a priority. Features include a drive-up book drop and pick-up window, more seating, ample electrical outlets, two study rooms, larger restrooms, and a large meeting room designed for use by the community even when the library is closed. As the new building nears completion, the Library will work with real estate agents to find a buyer who will make good use of the current building and abide by the State Historic Preservation Agency Requirements.

What happens if the referendum fails? If the bond issue fails and the Library is not able to raise the local cost share, then the $1,258,862.94 construction grant will be forfeited, and the new library will not be built. The library would continue to operate in the current facility. Money would need to be spent on maintenance and repair, including replacing air conditioning systems. It is unlikely that the Public Library Construction Act Grant program would be funded again in the near future (the last one was in 2012). The Library would need to raise over $1.2 million to renovate the current building and bring it up to code with a new elevator and additional stairway, or raise the full $2.5 million to build a new library. What are the issues with the current building? • Programs and meetings are held upstairs in small rooms, which limits attendance size and accessibility. • The elevator is old and unreliable and is too small to meet ADA requirements. It needs to be completely replaced including a new shaft. • A second stairway is required to meet code. • The upstairs is currently cooled with inefficient window air conditioners. One of the air conditioning units for the downstairs needs to be replaced soon. • Renovating the current building would cost more than $1.2 million. A two story building is more difficult to supervise, requiring additional staff members and increasing operating costs.

Informational meetings for the public will be held: Thurs., Feb. 11, 4:00 pm, Fortress Bank meeting room, 433 Main, Carthage, IL. Tuesday, March 9, 6:00 pm, First Baptist Church multi-purpose room, 601 Main St., Carthage, IL