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What will approval of the millage mean for
Flagler
County?
If
the millage is approved, the library will:
·
Restore previous operating funds and add needed staff
for the present Library.
·
Provide the needed upkeep and maintenance
of current and future facilities.
·
Secure funding for current and future growth to include any capital
construction.
·
Expand hours of operation to serve children, teens and adults.
·
Purchase more books, audio/video and enhance technology.
·
Keep and expand on the programs for children, teens and adults.
·
Provide more computers with Internet access, word processing,
research data-bases and printing.
·
Continue to seek partnership opportunities to bring in alternative
sources of revenue, such as passports and an Internet Café.
·
Provide our community with a Library which is meeting standards and
that we can be proud of!
What is a dedicated millage, and why do we need it?
Taxpayers have always
paid for Flagler County Public library.
By voting FOR
the the millage, you will direct this revenue specifically to the
public library instead of the general fund. It cannot be used for
any other purpose. Flagler County residents will be able to count
on a consistent and stable funding for the Library
over the next 15 years.
What would this mean to me
in tax dollars? The
.25 mill on the tax bill for a house valued at $200,000 after
the homestead exemptions, would be approximately $37.50 per
year, or $3.13 per month or ten cents
per day,
per household. If
approved, it would create $2.6 million in the first year and $39
million over 15 years. The millage rate of .25 will not change.
What
can we expect in the future, as our community grows?
Population
projections indicate that the County will grow to a population of
113,000 by the year 2010; 168,000 by year 2020 and 215,000 by year
2030. Our existing facilities are too small to serve the
current population of
93,000 and currently 50% below the
minimum for 5 out of 6 of the core standards for public libraries.
Volusia and St. Johns
are meeting 5 out of 6 the core standards and Putnam is meeting 3
out of 6. Flagler County is meeting only the standard number of
hours open.
What
will happen if the millage is not approved?
If the referendum is
defeated, the anticipated result is that the population and the
needs will continue to grow without the ability to meet those
needs. There will be further
and deeper cuts in funding, staff, services, hours, and materials.
If I do not use the public
library, why should I support this tax?
Libraries are one of
the cornerstones of democracy and they build communities. When you
support your local Library, you are enriching your
community, fostering
economic development and providing educational opportunities for
both children and adults now and into the future.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
First, you can volunteer for our campaign effort. There are a number of
ways
to volunteer--- as a telephone caller, door-to-door canvasser,
speaker at clubs
or organizations, host informative neighborhood coffees, man tables
in public places to inform people of our intent. Inform us of groups
to speak to.
Finally, and most
importantly, make sure you remember to vote on August 26th
and urge all of your friends and family to do the same.
We cannot envision Flagler County without excellent library services!
If you have questions, or want to help, please call: 446-7605
PUBLIC FORUMS ON THE LIBRARY REFERENDUM
July 22 and July 23 Library Meeting Room
Flagler County Library Referendum Committee (FCLRC)
A video
interview with Library Director
Friends of the
Library July Newsletter
Message
from Terry Jones, President of the Friends
Library Study
by Library Director (in Adobe pdf format)
Flagler County Commission Summary
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