November ballot will include question to increase support for AC Library

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The following was submitted by Mendy Pfannenstiel, director of the Ark City Public Library.

Voters in the USD 470 public school district will have the opportunity to vote on a proposal regarding changes to the Arkansas City Public Library’s funding structure and service area.

The ballot question asks voters whether they support expanding the library district boundaries from the Arkansas City limits to the borders of the entire USD 470 school district.

If approved, the measure would broaden the financial support base for the library, potentially leading to increased services. It would also result in tax changes for residents within and outside of Arkansas City. Property owners in Arkansas City would see a decrease in their library taxes, while residents outside the city but within the USD 470 district would experience an increase in library taxes.

For example, the owner of a $100,000 home in Arkansas City would pay about $57 annually in library taxes, which is a decrease of approximately $12. Similarly, a homeowner outside the city in the USD 470 district would pay about $57 annually, representing an increase of about $40. The proposal aims to ensure that all residents within USD 470 pay an equal amount to support the Arkansas City Public Library. (Continue story below ad.)

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Supporters of the measure suggest that the additional revenue could help the library expand outreach services, enhance early childhood literacy programs, and increase access to resources in rural areas. Rural residents would also gain full access to services such as the Libby digital book service, which some currently pay for out-of-pocket.

The measure would also redirect tax dollars from rural residents to the local library rather than allocating them to the South Central Kansas Regional Library in Hutchinson.

“The ballot question provides local residents the opportunity to decide how they wish to support and receive library services,” said Mendy Pfannenstiel, director of the Arkansas City Public Library.

Voters who would like more information about the proposal can visit the Arkansas City Public Library’s website at acpl.org or the library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/acplks.

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