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Dayton library to ask voters for more money; others considering levies

Nichlas Bailey of Dayton works on a computer at the Montgomery County Library on Third Street in downtown Dayton on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.

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A patron reads at the Dayton Metro Library on Third Street on Wednesday, July 22. Because of the state financial crunch, Ohio libraries may lose some of their funding.

Staff photo by Jim Noelker A patron reads at the Dayton Metro Library on Third Street on Wednesday, July 22. Because of the state financial crunch, Ohio libraries may lose some of their funding.

By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 2:52 PM Thursday, July 23, 2009

DAYTON — A 1.75-mill property tax levy will be on the November ballot for the Dayton Metro Library, but director Tim Kambitsch said that even if it passes, library staff and hours will be cut next year.

The Dayton Metro Library serves all of Montgomery County, but the levy is not assessed in Oakwood, Centerville-Washington Twp. and Germantown. Those communities have their own library systems.

The Dayton Metro Library board voted Wednesday, July 22, to ask voters for a half-mill increase over the current five-year levy, which expires in December. The replacement levy would be for a continuing period so it won’t come up for renewal.

The existing 1.25-mill levy brings in nearly $9 million annually and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $35.06 a year, said Marty Moore, finance manager for Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith. She said the 1.75-mill levy would generate approximately $13.6 million and cost the same property owner $53.59 annually if approved by voters.

Kambitsch said his recommendation is 0.25 mills lower than he’d hoped to ask for, but he is afraid recession-battered voters will not approve a full 2 mills.

Consultant Bill Burges of Burges & Burges Strategists Inc. said voters want government to make cuts before asking for more tax money.

A survey of voters in June by Triad Research Group showed 68 percent said they would support a 2-mill levy, but Triad’s Kathy Severinski said about half of the support was “soft.”

With the current levy expiring at the end of the year, the library board cannot risk failure in November, Kambitsch said.

“The stakes are as high as they’ve ever been for our community related to the library,” he said.

If voters allow the current 1.25 mill levy to expire at the end of the year and do not approve a 1.75 replacement levy in November the library’s revenues will be cut virtually in half to $13.6 million, said Kambitsch.

That would mean laying off half of the library staff, 80 percent cuts in other areas, reducing library hours to 50 a week, and closure of parts of the downtown library and all but six branches, he said.

This year the library is cutting to make up for a $5 million revenue reduction. Employees will be asked to take furloughs and some branches will be closed on those days. Kambitsch said he’d draw $1.7 million from cash reserves and reduce spending on materials, capital projects, payroll and training. Periodical and database subscriptions will be dropped, and he’ll purchase fewer titles and fewer copies of popular materials.

Next year the cuts go deeper, as the library begins the year with $1.6 million less than it had this year. Kambitsch expects to reduce staff by 18 percent, very likely through some layoffs, and library hours will be cut by 20 percent.

Kambitsch was encouraged by the strong support for libraries from citizens who were outraged at Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed 30 percent library funding cut, which was revised down in the final state budget earlier this month.

Also on Wednesday the library board approved a plan to offer early retirement buyouts to employees. Workers would get a $5,000 lump sum payment and 35 percent of their accrued sick leave balance, up to 800 hours. Kambitsch said the buyout will cost as much as $200,000 but should help reduce payroll.

The board wants the 280 employees represented by Dayton Metro Library Staff Association to forgo a 3 percent pay increase. Rich Robinson, union president, said he is optimistic the board and union can reach an agreement that will minimize layoffs.

Other Miami Valley libraries also are struggling with budget issues and some will be on the November ballot with tax levies, while others are considering it.

Oakwood

Director Ann Snively said a levy is a possibility for the Wright Library.

She hopes to get some public input first, but as of now no decision has been made.

“A levy is certainly an option that will be discussed by the library’s board of trustees,” Snively said.

Centerville-Washington Twp.

Centerville and Washington Twp. residents passed a 2.7-mill levy in 2002 that doesn’t expire until 2012

“We’re more fortunate than most libraries right now because we still have a local operating levy,” said Georgia Mergler, community relations manager for the Washington-Centerville Public Library.

The levy brings in $3.3 million annually, about 54 percent of the library’s total operating income, she said.

To compensate for the lost revenue due to state cuts, the library will have to cut at least $120,000 in expenses for the remainder of 2009.

“The goal is to continue to offer the best possible library service within the resources we have available,” Mergler said.

Miami County

The Tipp City Public Library and the Troy-Miami County Public Library both are considering November ballot issues.

Both also have already made cuts in hours of operation and staffing hours.

The Tipp City library board will meet today, July 23, to determine the size and length of an operating levy to be placed on the ballot, said Library Director Mark Mabelitini. The library has cut staff hours by 20 percent and reduced its open hours.

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