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Ida to seek library millage
Evening News staff writer May 09, 2002
The township will ask voters to approve a five-year, .5-mill levy to build a new library and community center.
By SCOTT NEINAS
IDA TOWNSHIP - Ida Township taxpayers will decide whether to pay for a new library-community center in August's primary election.
The Ida Township Board Tuesday passed a resolution to put the issue on the ballot, in which residents will decide on the five-year .5- mill tax.
Township officials said that would bring in $325,000. An additional $100,000 would come out of the township's general fund and $75,000 from private donors would pay for the balance of the project, expected to cost about $500,000.
The 5,000-square-foot facility would house a library and a community center, where township meetings would be held. It would be located on township property, likely near the township hall on Lewis Ave.
"Ida is in dire need of a new library," said Super-visor Larry Metz.
The board unanimously approved the motion to put the tax issue on the ballot. Ida doesn't levy an operations millage. Residents now pay a .5-mill fire equipment tax. One mill is equal to $1,000 of a home's state equalized value. The owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 would pay an extra $25 a year if the ballot issue passes.
Township officials have a short time to inform voters of the ballot issue, and to do administrative tasks that come with a ballot proposal.
"We have a very tight deadline to get it all done," Mr. Metz said, who added that he and other township officials still are looking for grants to help pay for the facility.
Library facilities, operated by the Monroe_County Library System, are owned by the munipalities they are located.
In other township business, the board voted unanimously to use $220,000 of general fund money to pay for a remodeling project at the fire hall on Lewis Ave. The project would move offices to the second floor of the fire hall, which would make room on the ground floor for two department vehicles that have no shelter. The project is in the design phase now.
İMonroe Evening News 2002
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