DeKalb residents bailed out the DeKalb Public Library (DKPL) when it needed it most. In return, members of the DKPL board of trustees seem poised to break promises they made in return for that help.
A crisis was created when, in late 2015, the state budget impasse prevented the Illinois State Library from releasing construction grant money to DKPL that it needed for completing its library expansion project. Nobody knew how long the impasse would last, and the delay posed the threat of a possible shutdown of construction with winter coming on.
To address this development, DKPL passed two resolutions in November 2015. The first was a resolution to seek a bank loan to cover the outstanding grant amount of $4.5 million. The second resolution, which they took to the DeKalb city council for approval (the library being a component unit of City of DeKalb) was a proposal to raise the library’s property tax levy request by $500,000 per year in order to pay back the loan.
DKPL claimed that the additional levy amount was temporary and would be repaid. The resolution says that any property tax monies collected for the purpose of the loan “will be fully rebated to DeKalb taxpayers by use of an abatement of this or future levies for said debt service on replacement borrowings in the interim period.” And during the December 14 council meeting, library board president Virginia Cassidy read a statement that the board had availed themselves of the “the option to temporarily increase the library tax levy to access a closed-end line of credit so that the expansion can be completed in a timely manner” and that “the funds from the levy would be used exclusively to pay the interest on the funds that we would access from the line of credit.”
Illinois now has a budget, and all but $1.1 million of the construction grant has been released to DKPL. Does this mean the library board is taking steps to reduce the levy accordingly, and to fully rebate the taxpayers? No, it does not. During a special meeting held January 24, the promises became just one scenario of four. Neither of the two favored plans include the promised downward adjustment to the property tax levy, and the board is considering reducing the rebates, too.
The board is expected to take final action during its regular meeting February 14.
| DeKalb Public Library Board Officers: Wendell Johnson, President Bill Cummings, Vice President Susan Richter, Treasurer Janis Kirts, Secretary Trustees: Tashena Briggs Joan Burger Carolyn Massey Joe Mitchell Gary Vander Meer Email the board: Click Here |
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37 Comments
Hahahaha!! A “temporary tax!” BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! We’ve never heard THAT one before!
The library is new, it’s accommodating, and may have much to offer, but your word is your word. Whether it’s a library board or a person … Stand by your promise!
As yet we have not been able to find a way to discern honest enough, or enough honest people to feel with these matters. Until we do no board, council or government agency will be able to fullfil the promises made.
It would be nice if the article explained what options were being considered.
Hahahah whats new and this shit is why i live in Georgia o and every resident is trying to leave Illinoise
We are so blessed to have such a good and very well stocked library here in DeKalb!. I use it regulatory. If I were fortunate to win the Lottery or if I had money I would pay it myself, so we can keep up with the future. As I said we are blessed here in DeKalb
Go figure…….
It’s a shame to see financial matters mismanaged or contracts broken, but as someone with many family and friends with physical disabilities, I could not be happier with the expansion.
Have you ever tried to go somewhere with a loved one in a wheelchair and found there’s no ramp to get inside, no automatic doors, no elevator to the second floor? It’s unbelievably frustrating and upsetting
The renovated library is the most accessible building I’ve ever seen. Tons of natural and artificial lighting so my friend with a partial visual impairment can navigate it comfortably; a ramp to the stage in the Yusunas room so my mom or anyone else in a wheelchair could present from it if they wanted to.
I will never be sorry that they renovated it
It doesnt matter how they handle things as long as you get something out of it ?
Is that what you think I mean?
That’s what the 1st paragraph points too.
Why do you say that?
I don’t think she meant anything by how this was handled. She was just stating how accessible it is now for people with disabilities.
https://dkpl.org/current-members/ You know what to do!
I never really understood the library expansion, personally. I still have yet to go because everything is digital now days. Seemed silly to put so much money into something that has kind of gone to the wayside.
Although I agree with the thought that the library shouldnât go back on its word, to say you havenât been to the new library because âeverything is digital nowadaysâ is a shame. Claiming physical books as well as a community center have gone by the wayside is misguided at best.
Im just saying I dont think the expansion was really needed as much as we could use other things in this town. We already had a pretty big library and when I did go, there was hardly anyone there. Seems like a lot of money for a seemingly underused service.
The new library is beautiful and there are plenty of people that make use of it. Considering we no longer have any bookstores in this town I am enormously thankful that we have a nice big library to take advantage of.
It would be nice if the kids had something to do here. Might keep them out of trouble.
Nicole Herbert they do have things for kids to do there!
No i mean like something for older kids to do. Teenagers. We have to drive like an hour out of town to do stuff. Would be nice to have something in town.
Nicole Herbert the 3D printers and labs arenât good enough for teens? There are teens constantly coming in and out of that wing when I visit with my 4 year old (who absolutely loves it). You really should go visit the place before you slam it.
I didnt slam it. I just said thats a lot of money for a library when we already had a library and could use many other things.
Money that is now not being paid back.
Sounds to me like, the Library Board has Teacher’s Union People sitting on it.
Figures
If enough people stand together, it is possible to launch a withering revolt upon the library.
I hate to be the one to say I told you so but what the heck……..I told you so. It seems that many of those in government today cannot be trusted. Their word means nothing and they wonder why citizens never trust any new proposal.
The library is not the government. And rather than rollover and say ‘I told you so’, like most do, get…the…money…back. It’s pretty simple.
For clarification, the library is indeed the government. The DKPL is a component unit of the City of DeKalb. https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/336
Yep. A taxing body who spends public tax dollars sounds a lot like it is a government unit.
Thatâs what Dekalb does. Look at the roads. They fixed sycamore rd. Thatâs it. Thereâs roads that have needed to be fixed for years but Dekalb does nothing.
Twombly for one. That road is like an off road ATV course.
Once a progressive minded gov. body gets your money they won’t give it back , they think it’s theirs
Would anyone be surprised if they go back on their word. They got what they wanted and the tax payer is left out to dry.
I was not surprised at all by this. I expected it from day one. This whole library expansion was a financial sham on the taxpayers of DeKalb from the start.
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Temporary tax like the toll roads. What’s a library?