Petitions For Library Sales Tax Vote Circulating

Jamestonwn (CSi) – On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable the JRVLS Development Director, Bill Kennedy, and Library Director, Joe Rector were guest with the latest updates on the proposed Alfred Dickey Public Library and renovation and expansion project.

Kennedy said the petition currently in circulation needs 1,452 signatures to put the 1/4% sales tax on the November 4, 2014 ballot.

The November 4, 2014 vote on approving the sales tax is county wide, as approval by voters would amend the Stutsman County Home Rule Charter.

Kennedy added that 25 volunteers are gathering signatures that are due to the County Auditor by September 4, 2014, 60 days prior to the election.

Requirements for gathering signatures or signing the petition are the same. You must be 18 years old by the November 4th election, a US citizen, and a resident of Stutsman County for at least 30 days prior to the election.

He pointed out that the average Stutsman County family will pay $33.75 a year for the new library addition and remodel of Alfred Dickey, which is estimated to bring in $700,000, annually.

The estimated cost of the new library is $9,000,000. Pledges and donations will reduce the amount needed to finance the new library to approximately $7,500,000.

The sales tax will continue until the debt on the new library is retired.

Joe Rector added that the libraries will go from their current 14,600 sq. ft. to 27,000 sq. ft. State requirements for new libraries in counties the size of Stutsman are at least 25,000 sf for new construction.

Alfred Dickey will keep its classic facade and interior details while being renovated to today’s electronic standards. The new addition adjacent to the north of Alfred Dickey will reflect the library’s classic façade, while providing a vision to the future in its interior.

Renderings of the new library will be available for public view by the end of the summer.

Those wishing to help gather signatures, can contact Bill Kennedy at the Stutsman County Library, 701-252-2217, or by email, billkennedy0@gmail.com

Previously reported:

Jamestown (CSi) Petitions are being circulated in Jamestown to place a library quarter cent sales tax on the November 4, 2014 election ballot.

To get the issue on the ballot, library supporters need to gather at least 1,452 valid signatures on a petition and turn it in 60 days before November 4th.

If approved by voters, by a simple majority, taxpayers would pay for about $7 million of the total projected cost of the renovation of the Alfred Dickey Public Library, at $9 million, with the balance coming from donations.

The sales tax will cost the average family in Stutsman County $33.75 per year, and raise a total of around $700,000 per year for 10 years, or longer.

Those signing the petitions need to be qualified voters in Stutsman County,living in the county for 30 days, and are citizens and will be 18 years old by the date of the election.

People interested in volunteering to collect signatures may call Bill Kennedy at 252-2990.   For more information about the plans for the new library, go to www.jamesriverlibrary.org