The attempt to raise property taxes to fund improvements to the North Little Rock library system failed by about 30 votes Tuesday.
The final tally was 737 opposed to 707 in favor. That’s 50.97% opposed and 48.89% in favor, for those who prefer percentages.
The millage rate increase looked like it was on its way to passage early in the night after the early and absentee votes showed a comfortable lead of 271 to 180, but day-of voters made the difference. Those who voted in person on a rainy Tuesday cast 557 votes against the measure and 436 votes in favor.
The increased cash would have allowed the library system to fund infrastructure improvements such as roof repair, HVAC replacements and improved ADA access as well as an increase in hours of operation at the system’s Laman and Argenta branches.
Crystal Gates, the executive director of the library system, said recently that the library would not close if the rate increase failed. Gates said the library would likely have to cut some hours, services and other budget items to fund building needs.
UPDATE:
Gates said this morning she was disappointed in the outcome of the election but was moving forward with a Plan B she had already created in case the millage rate increase did not pass.
The first priority, she said, is fixing the roof at Laman Library. Half of the roof needs weather stripping at a cost of $26,000-$30,000 and the other half needs a new roof but she did not have a cost estimate. The roof at the Argenta branch also needs replacement but she said that project can wait a little longer.
The second priority is the heating and cooling systems. The heating system at Laman requires an $80,000 upgrade, although she is looking for other solutions. A cooling unit at the Argenta branch also needs to be replaced before summer, she said.
Gates said the library will not cut hours and will not cut staff but will have to reallocate resources to maintenance. The only change that library patrons might notice is longer hold times on e-books, she said.
As for the election, Gates said the library needs to do a better job of telling its story and telling the community what it does and how it does it. Gates said she was encouraged to find new passionate supporters of the library during the election.
“It’s going to be OK,” Gates said. “We’re going to go back to the drawing table and look at how to make infrastructure improvements, while continuing to be the best library we can be.”
