Pataskala Library seeks tax renewal, upgrade - Other Community News - Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development

The Pataskala Standard
Published October 19, 2011

By Chad Klimack

Increase would help offset state funding reductions

PATASKALA -- Pataskala Public Library officials would like voters to pass a renewal-and-increase operating levy to offset state funding reductions.

The issue, which seeks to renew a half mill and add a quarter of a mill, for a .75-mill total, would run for five years, starting in 2013, if passed.

Jeff Rothweiler, library director and fiscal officer, said the library's share of state funding this year has shrunk by $147,000 when compared to 2007 levels.

The addition of the new quarter mill would generate another $150,000 per year, making up for the reduction, he said.

Currently, the library's half-mill levy generates $282,750 annually. That accounts for 34 percent of its $840,000 budget this year.

"We've had to use (the original half-mill issue) for operating expenses because of the (state) cuts we've had," Rothweiler said.

Library officials originally placed the half-mill issue on the ballot in 2007 to fund a host of renovations, in addition to providing operating income.

The issue immediately allowed the library to revamp its parking lot and add rain gutters to its Vine Street facility, but talk of a 30 percent reduction in state funding prompted a delay of more expensive planned renovations.

When the 30 percent cut did not materialize, the library moved forward with the more sizable renovations in late 2010 and early 2011, which included new carpeting and shelving, freshly painted walls, a new handicap entrance, replacement of old lighting, and more energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

Without the half-mill levy, Rothweiler said the library "would not have moved forward with the renovation project."

Now that the renovation project is complete, Rothweiler said this same half mill will expire next calendar year.

Read the full story on The Pataskala Standard website.