The Missouri River Regional Library is asking voters Tuesday to increase its revenue budget by nearly 50 percent to maintain staffing and services, as well as address building maintenance needs and add new programs.
The 10-cent levy increase, which would represent a 50 percent increase in the current 20-cent levy, would bring in $1.4 million to $1.5 million annually for the library. For the owner of a $100,000 home, property taxes would rise $20 a year.
"We decided on the 10-cent increase because we know it will help us meet our needs, and we will not be back asking voters for another five cents in just a few years," said Tricia Schlechte, MRRL board treasurer and chairwoman of the ad hoc committee set up to study the levy issue.
Residents in Cole and Osage counties will independently vote on the levy increase. If the increase only passes in one county, the funds generated by the increase would only support the programs, facility and staff of that county's library, officials said.