Libraries Now, a Ballot Question Committee and fundraising group, announces the formation of a millage committee called Support CADL. This new committee is working to communicate with the public about the many contributions the Capital Area District Library makes to the Greater Lansing community. Support CADL is also working to assure the renewal of the current operating millage for the CADL system.
Libraries Now has also selected Peter Kramer to be Chairperson of the Support CADL millage committee. Mr. Kramer is the owner of Kramer Management Group, a local consulting company. He has participated in many bond campaigns and millage renewals over the last 10 years. “I am very excited to join the highly qualified team at Libraries Now in their efforts to renew CADL’s operating millage. The services CADL provides to our community are profound and extremely critical in this most demanding time. Maintaining these services is essential for the basic needs of our region.”
At a recent meeting, CADL’s Board of Trustees approved a plan to place a renewal of the library’s operating millage on the August 3, 2010 ballot. This millage is not a new tax or a tax increase, but a renewal of the existing four-year 1.56 mills, which expired on December 31, 2009.
Operation and maintenance of the CADL system are 85% – 90% funded by citizens’ tax dollars through millages. Due to falling property values, tax revenues have already significantly decreased, actually making the renewal of the CADL millage a decrease instead of a straight renewal. Rather than ask for additional funds, CADL is working hard to maximizing the tax dollars it receives. Administrators have significantly reduced the 2009 and 2010 budgets without resorting to drastic reduction of services.
For an Ingham County resident who owns a home with a market value of $100,000 (and an assessed/taxable value of $50,000), the cost of the 1.56 mills will be approximately $78 a year. These funds will enable CADL to remain open and to continue providing outstanding services, collections, technology, programs and, above all, value to the community. This includes everything from job seeker support to small business resources, computer classes, downloadable books, story times, special teen collections and educational and entertainment DVDs. Should the renewal not pass, all 13 CADL libraries would close and the bookmobile would stop running as of January 3, 2011. CADL would remain closed until operational funding is approved.
The Capital Area District Library serves all of Ingham County except the City of East Lansing. Its 13 libraries are located in the communities of Aurelius, Dansville, Haslett, Holt-Delhi, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Webberville and Williamston. In addition, the CADL bookmobile visits over 30 locations throughout the county. All of these locations share resources and provide residents of each community with access to all of CADL’s materials and services.
Please visit supportcadl.org to learn more about Libraries Now and its Support CADL campaign.
This was printed in the June 20, 2010 – July 3, 2010 edition
