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Board approves 6.7 percent levy increaseBy Danielle Strenke The total levy amount of $19.4 million does not include $6.5 million that will be bonded for the three new library buildings and improvements to a fourth building within the county. Adding the bonding amount for the county library projects calculates to a 10 percent increase on the overall budget. Commissioner Bob Gustafson asked for reassurance that the library levy was a separate expense on the budget. ìI donít want the library to be part of the levy,î he said. ìI want it specified that itís not part of the general levy.î County Auditor Dennis Freed said that the library bonds are a separate budget item, even though payment for the levy increase toward the library projects cannot be separated on residential tax statements. ìWe donít have enough room on the tax statements to separate out each item,î he said. ìAnd I donít think we are able to do that legally, but it is a separate levy.î Commissioner Mike Robinson said he didnít believe the county should levy $250,000 toward the library project in 2004 when bonds have not been sold for the project yet. ìI donít think itís right to tax people before bonding for the library,î he said. ìWe should save them the $250,000 this year to give them a little break.î Gustafson asked what the $250,000 on this yearís budget is needed for if the library bonds havenít been sold yet. ìThe money is a sixth month payment on the bonds that will be sold in 2004,î Commissioner Rick Olseen said. Olseen was part of the budget committee for 2004. Freed added that the money must be collected now, because the first bond payment will be required before 2004 taxes are collected in May 2005. Commissioner Ben Montzka said he was pleased with this yearís budget process. ìI think weíve done a good job prioritizing,î he said. The budget was approved 4-1, with Robinson voting against, saying it was only because of having the library money on the budget before the bonds were sold. Library project move ahead The architectural firm KKE drafted the designs, and representatives were at the meeting to explain the vision behind each facility. After meetings with ECRL representatives and other members of each community, the architects designed each building individually, with unique aspects relating to the individual communities. ìThe Depotî is what the Wyoming building will be known as, architect Mohamed Lawal told the board, in reference to the importance of Wyoming as a railroad stop during the beginnings of the railroad in Minnesota. North Branchís new library, located adjacent to the North Branch Fire Department on Co. Rd. 30, will be referred to as ìThe North Branchî Lawal said, because of the presence of the north branch of the Sunrise River within the city. The Chisago City library, because it is a cooperative of different communities, will be known as ìSpirit of Collaboration.î Lawal said the architects had these three themes in mind when designing the three different buildings. He explained that all three sites have ample parking, and include a community room, fireplace and room for future expansion. Commissioner Robinson said he had received comments from residents in his district about the fireplaces. ìPeople in my district see that as a luxury that they have to pay for,î he said. Architect Randy Lindemann said the fireplaces are an option when the board continues on to the bidding and construction process. The fireplaces were included after input from ECRL and other residents as a way to make the library a comfortable place to sit and read. Commissioner. Gustafson was concerned with the addition of community rooms, saying he was never informed that the libraries would include these rooms. ìI was told these big new buildings were to expand the libraries not for a community center,î Gustafson said. ìI certainly donít support renting out the space. I donít think the intent was a commercial venture.î Commissioner. Olseen said that he and other commissioners had been on a tour of other libraries in the metro area and neighboring cities, and every library included a community room. ìIf you support it being used at no charge that room will be constantly in use.î He also added the room will be used for activities such as childrenís story hour and the childrenís summer reading program. The board approved the schematic plans by a 4-1 vote, with Gustafson voting against. Lawal said the next step is drafting construction documents and going out for bids next spring. ©ECM Post Review |