Arlington Heights library takes back levy increase request

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board took back their 4 percent tax levy increase request and replaced it with a request for the same levy as this year at a special meeting on Monday.

"We are responding to our community's concerns with this zero percent growth because we recognize that this is a time to hold the line," says Kerry Pearson, treasurer of the library board. "But this tax freeze is a one-year pledge only."

The village initially requested a 3.75 percent tax levy increase for a levy totaling $39.8 million. That figure included $13 million for the library. Monday's move by the library board lowered its levy request to about $12.5 million, Pearson said.

It's the first time in more than a decade the library hasn't increased its levy, according to library records.

The move will save the owner of a home valued at $340,000 about $16, said Tom Kuehne, director of the village's finance department.

It will come at a cost- the revised budget will delay a $500,000 project to implement an automatic checkout program.

"I do recommend postponing this project due to this challenging economic climate," said Executive Librarian Paula Moore.

"I'm confident that we can manage to hold the line for one year and still continue to provide our customers with the high quality of information services for which our library is well known."

In addition, the library does not plan any increase in staff positions or staff hours for its 2009-10 fiscal year budget.

On Nov. 17, more than 150 Arlington Heights residents complained to the village board about the proposal to increase the village tax levy by 3.75 percent.

Because of the outcry, trustees delayed voting on the 2009-2010 tax levy and asked Village Manager Bill Dixon to find ways to trim the total levy.

"Clearly you've sent a message this evening," said Village President Arlene Mulder at the meeting. "We live here, too, and now the recession is here, but the minute we cut a service, if we don't fix some streets, we will get e-mails and phone calls."

Dixon will report back to the board Dec. 8, and the board will vote on the levy again Dec. 15. The proposed tax rate and levy is for the May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, fiscal year budget.