Buena Vista Library Executive Director Cecilia LaFrance and volunteer Katy Welter, who was recently awarded Philanthropist of the Year by the Chaffee County Community Foundation, spoke during the public comment portion of the Tuesday, September 25 meeting of the Buena Vista Board of Education (BOE) about the upcoming ballot initiative to increase funding for the library to enable its expansion and renovation.
Image courtesy of BuenaVistaLibrary.org
“If you haven’t heard about the library expansion, then we haven’t done our job,” said LaFrance after handing out a Library Expansion Ballot Issue 6A Fact Sheet detailing the expansion and the purpose of the ballot issue to board members and attendees at the meeting. The flyer is also available online.
LaFrance explained that the library is seeking a 1.2 increase in its mill levy rate. This is the first time the library has requested an increase in twenty-eight years. This increase will help cover the costs of construction and help to maintain the library’s extended staff and services once the expansion is complete.
We have amazing patrons, amazing programs, amazing service. People walk in and say ‘it’s a great library’,” said LaFrance. “We are at capacity, however.”
Welter spoke as a volunteer and a parent, explaining that the library is the only provider of high-quality programming for young children and the only indoor play space.
“The library has just been indispensable to my family and my young children, who are five and three,” said Welter.
The construction includes a 50 percent increase in the children’s space. Currently, the space can only fit a maximum of two families at a time.
Second story concept image courtesy of the Buena Vista Public Library’s website.
The proposed construction will cost about $4.5 million, including the costs of leasing space to maintain operations during renovation. The original building was designed and constructed specifically to allow expansion to a second floor. The updated 12,000-square-foot building would be adequate for at least twenty years according to LaFrance.
The library’s service area follows the R31 Buena Vista School District boundaries. The requested 1.2 mill levy increase would impact property owners in the northern half of Chaffee County by an estimated $8.16 per $100,000 in valuation.
The example listed in the library’s flyer provides an example of a $600,000 home, which would see an increase of $49 per year or $4.08 per month.
According to LaFrance, the library intends to put policies in place to build up capital reserves to plan for the future and avoid requesting another increase from taxpayers when expansion becomes necessary again.
LaFrance explained that the mill levy increase request is coming now because the construction costs are outpacing the library’s ability to save by about a quarter of a million dollars per year.
Welter encouraged the Board of Education to endorse the library’s ballot initiative. Community support is a key factor in receiving grants, which will provide additional help with costs. “If not, please vote yes and let us know that you plan to do so,” said Welter.
At the end of the meeting, Board Director Olivia Bartlett requested that the Board mull over the library’s endorsement request for possible inclusion in a future agenda.
More information about the library’s expansion plans is available online.
Recent Comments