Library gets nod from Council to go district

By Editor | July 8, 2024 |

By BETH ZUMWALT

The Pittsfield Public Library received permission from the Pittsfield City Council to become a library district at the July 2 meeting of the council.

Head librarian Sarah Rudd appeared before the council and explained the benefits of becoming a district library.

“At first there will be no changes,” Rudd said. “We will levy our own taxes and the city will no longer collect our taxes and then funnel them to us. We will elect library board members from the public.”

Rudd said eventually, the library would like to annex the entire Pikeland Unit #10 into the library boundaries.

“We would like for every child in the district to have a library card,” Rudd said. “Currently, we offer cards for those that don’t live in the city boundaries at a cost. Many people don’t know we do that.”

The decision to change the way the library works was met with many questions by aldermen, but the council ultimately voted to allow the district for the library.

According to information provided, the change will not affect taxes. Instead of the city collecting library funds and distributing them to the library, the library will have their own levy and line on the tax bill.

If they ever raise the levy more than five percent, they will have to hold a Truth in Taxation hearing, just like every other taxing body.

If the time comes and they are able to annex the entire Unit 10 district into the library boundaries, it would come to a vote. Those being annexed in, would be subject to the library’s tax levy.

The council also heard from the engineer of Hutchinson engineering concerning the downtown revitalization project. The city received a grant last year to repair city streets, install lighting, and infrastructure improvements around the square and one block west and north.

Under the plan, the square will become one lane on all three sides, excluding Washington Street. It will remain one-way, but Adams Street will become one-way as well. Adams Street will become one-way at the Catholic Church or the intersection of Jackson and Adams, and the one-way will continue until the corner by the library, or Memorial and Adams. It is hoped bids will be let early next year with work beginning in the summer 2025.

The council also approved street closures for the Nazarene Church to hold Vacation Bible School. The motion allows for the 100 block of South Mississippi to be closed July 28-31.

The 100 block of North Mississippi, right across Washington, will be closed July 27 from 7 a.m. to noon, for the Saints and Sinners Car Club to have a car show.

Also, the alley behind Farmer’s State Bank will be closed July 17-19 for their quarterly celebration.