Union County Council reviewed a request by the Union County Public Library (UCPL) to proceed with plans for a bond issuance to fund a facility expansion at its Aug. 18 meeting.

“As the director of the Union County Library, it's my responsibility to manage the day-to-day tasks of the library while also ensuring that the library stays relevant and forward-thinking,” said UCPL director Julie Jolliff before explaining the details of the building project.

The UCPL board of directors and Jolliff have been collecting and analyzing data for more than a year, utilizing studies performed by the Town of Liberty, Union County and Union County Foundation. During that time, visitor count, program participation and content circulation has risen as the library has continued to expand the services offered to the community. The study revealed the library's biggest shortfall is in the ability to accommodate larger groups; physical wellness and summer reading programs have outgrown the space currently available. With the proposed expansion, the library would have the space to provide additional wellness programs, host intramural sports, walking clubs and after-school programs. 

The scope of the project has been refined after an initial plan was reviewed with a $10 million price tag. UCPL knew such a project would be a burden on the community’s taxpayers and worked to narrow the project to best suit Union County with a $5.2 million expansion.

Kevin McCarty, of LWC Architects of Richmond, explained a recent facilities assessment found significant deficiency in the existing building HVAC system as well as leaks in the roof. Those issues would be rectified during the remodel, as well as a new parking lot and amphitheater. Locating the parking lot on the east side of the building, visitors would enter on the upper level of the building, eliminating elevation changes at the entrance.

The addition would bring another 9,000 square feet of space to the library, the majority of which is a single community room. The community room would support a variety of physical activities, as well as group programs and large meetings. McCarty explained the upper floor would host a walking track overlooking the community room. Efforts were made to use the same exterior materials and similar window spacing to ensure the addition flows with the original Carnegie building.

Baker Tilly representative Lisa Huntington reviewed the financial details with council. Huntington explained UCPL's current debt was issued in 2012 and matures next year, opening up the opportunity to seek new bonds. Proposed financing allows a maximum borrowing amount of $5.9 million over a 21-year term,  which will require an estimated $0.0792 increase to the library's debt service tax rate. The library will need to raise the tax funds to cover the bond expense, the county itself will have no obligation. Council member Jim Hensley inquired about the actual interest rate for the calculations presented; Huntington replied a five percent rate was assumed. The average taxpayer in Union County, with a $116,300 home, is estimated to see a a $34.33 increase to their annual tax payment. 

UCPL bond counsel Kristin McClellan, of Ice Miller Municipal Finance, explained state statute requires an appointed board to seek approval from its fiscal body before seeking any bond. Up to this point, UCPL has been working for the past 18 months planning the proposed expansion project. State law requires UCPL to hold two public hearings, followed by a 30-day period in which any taxpayer can petition the project. No petitions were filed, leaving Union County Council's approval as the next step.

Council vice-president Richard Blank noted the total amount of revenue the county can generate in any year is fixed; he asked if the library's revenue can exceed that. McClellan replied the library is deemed a separate entity, both as a taxing unit and for issuance of bonds.

Council member Chris Rosenberger spoke in support of the expansion, noting the benefits to the community and the potential to spur population growth. Blank voiced concern for the impact on the tax increase on the agricultural community, with a projected tax increase of $118.80 per 100 acres. Rosenberger noted agricultural land is already protected by a low assessed value, as well as a tax cap. McClellan replied that was one of the reasons UCPL revised the project after running numbers on the initial $10 million estimate. Jolliff explained she reached out to some members of the agricultural community about the project. 

“We hope to create more community, create more people that want to come here because of the way it feels here. As much as we used to think people come to communities based on jobs, they really come based on how do we feel when we're there,” Jolliff shared with council.

Council president Trisha Persinger explained she ran for her seat on county council to help and serve her community. She admitted she was confused with the proposal when she first saw it.

“I always thought I had a very open mind, but I was very closed at first. I'm like, 'what is this, this is not even library, this is community center.” So I had to step back and say, 'I'm a strong supporter of my community growing and providing wonderful places for our children, for our elderly. Seniors are my people, that's what I do, and I thought, 'this is a good fit for them.' I struggle with the tax impact because we look at that, and I understand. But I also think about it as an annual thing, and I think, 'is it worth $33 a year to me, to have something like this?'”

Persinger opened the floor for a public hearing where the two dozen people overflowing from the council's meeting room shared in turn the amazing experiences they have had at UCPL. Words of encouragement were offered up by library staff, patrons and board members for more than 20 minutes.

Following the outpouring of support, Rosenberger made a motion to pass a resolution in support of UCPL's facility expansion. The motion was seconded by council member Jeff Adams and the board voted to approve to a thunderous round of applause.