Library Leaders to Seek Input From Community About Changes

A crowd of about 50 people filled the community room at the East Lake Library Monday evening to learn more about the library's future.

Pinellas County Commissioners recently voted to create a separate taxing district to fund the library. East Lake residents have long complained that much of their tax money was used outside the East Lake community.

"We get to keep our money instead of shipping it off," East Lake Library Advisory Board member Terry Haas told the crowd June 17.

"We have been screwed for so many years, by paying in so much money and not getting it back that it was unreal," said East Lake Library Advisory Board member Roger Johnson, who received a round of applause for his effort pushing county leaders for the change.

During Monday evening's meeting, library leaders set the record straight about misconceptions regarding library funding and taxes. Some people thought the change would bring an additional tax.

"Library taxes on your tax bill are going to go down as a result of this. Conversely, funding for the East Lake Library is going to go up," said Haas.

The library's board of advisors will be distributing a survey seeking input from individual members of the community and a wide variety of groups within the community about how the additional funding should be spent.

"This is the heart of the community. That's it. We don't have a rec center and all that other good stuff… This is where everything comes together," said Council of North County Neighborhoods Second Vice President Ron Schultz.

Residents attending Monday night's meeting had no problem sharing their own ideas with board members.

One library employee suggested spending the money to extend the library's operating hours to include Friday evenings.

Author and library volunteer Deanna Bennett organizes the author's showcase and writers' workshop. She also wants the library to extend its hours.

"Before you spend money on anything else, the library has to be open. That's number one," Bennett told board members.

Leaders also warned the crowd that the new tax structure will not bring a windfall of money to the library, which has been dipping into its reserves to make ends meet.

"We've virtually depleted the reserves," said Haas.

Pinellas County Property Appraiser Pam Dubov also attended the meeting. She explained that East Lake's new library taxing district will be included on trim notices, which will be sent to property owners in August. Dubov warned residents that their trim notices will look a bit different and will have three mileage rates instead of two. She said the key is to look at the columns for the current year. Dubov says the tax rate for the library taxing district has not yet been finalized.  

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