The Board of Trustees for the Ferguson Municipal Public Library District has decided to put Proposition L, a measure affecting the property taxes that fund the library, on the ballot for the April 3, 2018 election. The Board has wrestled with a growing sense of need for stable funding for some time. The last time the library had a tax increase was 23 years ago, because the Board does not do this sort of thing lightly. The library’s tax revenues have dropped significantly since 2010.
The measure will be called Proposition L. The text will be as follows:
Shall there be a tax increase of $0.18 over the present tax rate ceiling of $0.22 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation for the Ferguson Municipal Public Library District?
A Ferguson homeowner with a house worth $50,000 on the open market can expect to see their tax bill go up by about $17. A Ferguson homeowner with a house worth $100,000 can expect to see their tax bill go up by about $34.
For much more detail, please go to http://ferguson.lib.mo.us and click on “Prop L”.
In the words of Library Director Scott Bonner, “We received so many wonderful donations in 2014 from people who appreciated what we did for our community. We’ve used those donations as wisely as we can, but they will run out soon, and the Board has to consider how much that will impact our ability to pursue our mission, given where our tax monies are now. Our mission is to build up Ferguson through lifelong learning, cultural literacy, and bringing community members together. As long as Ferguson values these things, we’ll be here to help by whatever means we can, targeting our efforts on the specific needs of Ferguson.”
We would like to cordially invite you to our open house! The Ferguson Municipal Public Library has seen many changes over the last few years. Reconnect with your hometown library and stop by on Monday, September 25 for some light refreshments and to hear about some of the work we are doing. Library Director Scott Bonner will give some brief remarks at 5:30. See you there!
While the library was closed on Wednesday, November 11, we had new sliding doors installed. While we feel like we’re walking onto the bridge to the Enterprise from Star Trek every time we come in, we know that our patrons with mobility issues are enjoying easier access into the library more. This is just one of many changes that have happened to the library over the last several months, from new carpet and computers to new tables and chairs. Stop by and check out the new doors today!