With all the backlash against taxes these days - two county-wide issues bucked the anti-tax trend and pushed through levies in Brown County.
The Brown County Public Library and the Union Township Public Library systems can crack open some new books now that county voters have passed a 1 mill five year levy that will be split between the two systems. The Nov. 3 election was the third time a library levy has appeared on the ballot in the past three years, with voters soundly defeating the issue twice.
The Union Township Public Library and Brown County Public Library systems decided to try for a joint levy once again, in response to a severe decrease in state library funding, which has prevented the two library systems from purchasing new equipment and material, and has lead to a reduction of hours for both libraries.
The Nov. 3 election was a different story from the last two tries, as the voters of Brown County passed the levy by a wide margin, with 6,768 voters choosing to pass the levy and 5,742 voters voting against the levy.
Lynn Hardin, director of the Brown County Public Library system, said to look for several changes at the library next year.
"Thank you Brown County voters," Hardin said. "Things are going to be different next year. We're going to ask the voters what they want and we'll be able to restore a lot of services to the library."
Union Township Public Library Director Allison Gibson said that the Union Township Library will also be asking for voter input on the libraries. However, Gibson said that she is looking forward to being able to get the library operations back to normal.
"Thank you voters," Gibson said. "It will be exciting and pleasurable work to start restoring the hours, services, and materials to our three libraries."
After two previous defeats, Gibson said that she was surprised that the library levy had passed by such a wide margin.
"I'll admit it, I'm surprised," Gibson said. "But the voters realized that we really needed help and they responded."
The levy will assist the libraries with numerous funding cuts passed down from the state in the last several years. Both the library systems hope to get new materials and restore services when the funding becomes available.
The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities can breath a little easier now that county residents overwhelmingly voted to approve a 1 mill replacement levy to support their activities and the upkeep of their facilities. The levy replaced two half mill levies passed in 1978 and 1980 and will bring the levy collection up to 2009 land values.
The levy passed by more than 2,500 votes.
Lena Bradford, BCDD superintendent said the levy should generate between $600,000 and $650,000 for the program.
The BCDD will use the funds to continue providing numerous training workshops and clinics as well as fund their training center and residential facilities for people with developmental disabilities.
"It will help us out a lot," Bradford said. "Especially the individuals. Their future really depends on this levy."
Bradford said they are anticipating about $500,000 in cuts from other funding sources over the next seven years and the replacement levy will go a long way in making up that difference.
"The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities really would like to thank all the voters for their support," Bradford said. "It was a lot of work getting this campaign together."
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