State Might Cut Library Funding

Libraries from across the state visited Columbus on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 for Legislative Day. Typically, the visit is to touch base with our legislators to remind them of our library’s services and to inform them that our residents have need for a free, open library. Of course, they know all about our library, especially Euclid’s legislators Kenny Yuko and Kent Smith. Both have been great friends to the Euclid Public Library over a number of years.

This year’s visit was a little different however, because of House Bill 64 that was introduced to affect the Governor’s budget. Within the next 8 weeks, both the House and the Senate will vote to decide which version of the bill will be applied to the biennial budget. This could be good or bad for libraries across the state.

Here in Euclid, our library operates under a very tight budget and any funding reductions will diminish the funding effects of the recently passed levy. A 1.6 mill increase helped to replace funding losses from the County Auditor’s 2012 real estate triennial update. Further, the operating revenue for 2011 was $4,973,818. The revenue for 2014 was $4,085,905. This represents quite a drop! The estimated revenue for 2015 is $4,841,583 which is up from last year, but not at the same level of 2011. Typically, the library is able to collect only about 88.9% of the property taxes (levy) that is promised.

If the HB64 is passed, the Tangible Personal Property Tax reimbursement would be phased out which means our funding of $89,756 would be reduced to $44,878 in the first year. For the second year it would be reduced from $44,878 to $0. For the next three years of the levy cycle we would receive nothing as well.

If the proposed phase-out is approved, the Euclid Public Library will lose $403,902 in operating revenue over the current five-year levy cycle. This is the levy that our voters just passed to help improve the library and its services!

It would be fortunate if an increase in our share of the Public Library Fund would be increased from 1.66% to 1.7%. It is the hope of the library staff and our Board of Trustees that the legislators will approve this increase to the Governor’s budget. If this increase is approved, the library will lose only $25,000 annually, or $112,500 over the life of the five-year levy.

The Euclid Public Library, and other libraries around that state, know that the amendment to increase our share of the budget to 1.7% would be a big help. This would be a critical win for all libraries. Without a doubt, libraries serve as a center for learning, culture and so much more for families that include all ages.

Rebecca McFarland

Rebecca McFarland

Marketing/Communications Manager, Euclid Public LIbrary

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 5:00 PM, 05.18.2015