Sugar Grove library bid fails yet again

Sugar Grove voters said no to an increase in the library's operating budget Tuesday for a sixth straight time, despite being able to look forward to a new $8 million library opening in 2009.

In unofficial results, the vote was 2,134 against to 1,879 in favor of a budget increase to 25 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property valuation. The current rate is about 9 cents.

The increase would have added about $105 more in property taxes for the owners of a $200,000 home.

Library officials had been optimistic because this year's referendum was the first held since the library board selected the site for the new library in July.

Library Director Beverly Holmes Hughes said she will recommend that the board place the question on the ballot in November.

"It is not my desire to remain focused on this issue," Hughes said. "I would like to focus on the move. But the funds (from the increase) would still be available in July 2009 if the vote took place in November. So we'll continue to focus on helping people understand the need for the rate increase."

Officials would like approval of the budget rate increase this year because the funding would then be in place by the fall 2009, when it is expected that the new library will open.

The new 27,430-square-foot library will replace the existing 6,600-square-foot facility and will be constructed on a 5-acre parcel at Snow Street and Municipal Drive.

Voters approved funding for the new library in 2004, but have continued to vote down an increase in the operating budget.

The previous defeat was in April 2007, when the request was for an increase to about 15 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property valuation. That vote was 1,294 against to 1,142 in favor.