Palatine Library District Referendum Added to April Ballot

PALATINE, IL — Residents will vote on a potential tax increase on the April 2019 ballot, after the Palatine Public Library District Board of Trustees voted to place a "limiting rate increase" referendum on the ballot. The referendum asks for an increase on the library’s property tax levy. The potential increase would cover all of the library district’s financial needs through 2035, according to a press release from the district.

"Currently, the Library receives $6.8 million in annual revenue. Each year, it gets more difficult to meet expenses with that amount," Board Treasurer Hal Snyder said in the release. "By 2024, the amount needed to operate our three locations at present levels of service and maintain the facilities will substantially exceed revenue and reserves on hand."

The increase would cover much-needed capital projects, including building repairs, as well as the rising cost of books, materials and health insurance, the release said. Also, monies from the increase would be used to continue building collaborative partnerships with schools, businesses and organizations with in the community.

"If the referendum fails, the Library will be forced to cut services in order to address the $5.8 million in capital improvements to repair the aging roof, inefficient lighting, and failing HVAC systems," Library Executive Director Jeannie Dilger said in the release. "At the Main Library and Branches, hours of service would need to be reduced. The budget for the purchase of new materials would shrink, resulting in longer wait times for materials. Technology would be limited to the status quo, thereby failing to meet the demands of growing technology. Vital partnerships and outreach programs would decrease and have a negative impact on school students and under served populations."

The library district said that the annual cost increase would be about $52 for a household with a median home value of $266,000.

The district will hold public forums on the referendum in January, February and March to share more information and answer the public's questions. Forums are scheduled for:

• Thursday, January 10, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Main Library
• Monday, January 14, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Falcon Park
• Monday, February 11, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Main Library
• Thursday, February 21, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., Twin Lakes
• Tuesday, March 19, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Fremd High School
• Monday, March 25, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Main Library

For more information about the referendum, visit the library district’s website.

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