Bond Issue Passes
By CATHERINE
STORTZ RIPLEY
C-T News Editor
Livingston County's library, a reflection of Chillicothe's past in
historic downtown, is now slated for massive renovations this year after
voters Tuesday gave a resounding "Yes" to a proposed $3.4 million bond
issue to help stabilize the structure for many years to come. The
countywide issue needed a 57 percent (four-sevenths) approval rating but
ended Election Day far exceeding the minimum with a whopping 71 percent
(nearly five-sevenths).
In all, Tuesday's election had a 21 percent voter turnout with 1,892
people casting ballots. All but 2 percent going to the polls voted on
the library question. The issue received 1,305 'yes' votes and 544 'no'
votes. Built by the federal government at a cost of $135,000 in
1915, the stately tan brick building at the corner of Clay and Locust
streets has been in continuous use since its construction. It was first
built to house a post office and federal court. In 1913, a local
newspaper reported that the structure was anticipated to be one "of
beauty and which the people will point to with pride."
The federal building continued to serve as a post office until 1966.
That year, the library left its home at the corner of Jackson and
Washington streets (a building now occupied by Investors National Bank)
and relocated
to the federal building.
About 40 people were at the Livingston County courthouse Tuesday
night to watch election returns. Among those gathered were 15 to 20
supporters of the library issue, including Library Director Robin
Westphal. "We are very excited that the community has supported the
library through this project, not just with this vote, but have
supported the facility for years," Westphal said when the final returns
were posted. "I am pleased that the voters felt the board made the
correct decision to proceed with renovations."
"This shows that the community values the services we provide and the
facility we have," Westphal added. The library issue carried
throughout the county, with the lowest margin of approval being 59
percent in Chillicothe and Rich Hill townships. The next smallest margin
was in Fairview and Grand River townships where 62 percent of the voters
cast "yes" ballots. The measure's biggest support came from
Chillicothe's 2nd Ward, with 77 percent of the 297 ballots cast
supporting the measure, followed by Chillicothe's 1st Ward with 76
percent of the 338 voters in support of the
issue. Chillicothe's 1st Ward also had the largest voter turnout in the
county with 26 percent. Eighty-one percent of the 120 absentee ballots
cast were in favor of the bond issue.
Long Time Planning
About five years ago, the Library Board began talking about making
significant improvements to the library system. They considered two
options to place before voters: renovate the new facility; or, abandon
the aging three-story structure and construct a new library elsewhere.
After careful consideration of the costs involved in both options, the
value of maintaining a historic building, and the libraryıs current
location, the board moved forward on a proposal to renovate the existing
structure. "It would be completely unaffordable to build a bricks
and mortar building somewhere else," said Bruce Brodmerkle, a Library
Campaign Committee member. Also, he speculated that some type of a metal
prefabricated building might not stand the same test of time as a bricks
and mortar building and that a metal building would have less aesthetic
value. Abandoning the historic federal building, which is said to be
structurally sound, would leave its future in question. "This building
has already lasted nearly 100 years," Brodmerkle said of the old federal
building, adding that the improvements voted on by the public will help
the structure continue for 100 more years.
Brodmerkle was hopeful of the bond issue passing. "If the issue
didn't pass, the library would operate as status quo," he said. "The
building would not get the needed repairs and the top two floors would
be without water. It would not be user friendly. With its passage, we
should be able to transform and repair the library and make it a full
dimension better," he added. Brodmerkle said the library's
services have expanded through the years. "It used to be that
libraries were just books," he said. "But, the library has added more
things and it is not just books anymore. Passage of the bond
issue gives us an opportunity to provide more for the people."
Making Improvements
Passage of the bond issue means increased functionality as well as
improved energy efficiency and ADA accessibility.
Among improvements will be replacing the plumbing, electrical and
heating and cooling systems to allow full use of all four floors,
creating independent work areas with seating, placing electrical outlets
and lighting to maximize use of wireless capability and laptop
computers, installing restrooms on all four floors, including a new
child-sized toilet and sink in the Children's Library, addressing
moisture issues in the basement level Children's Library to improve air
quality, and moving the teen area to a larger, more visible area. The
bond issue will also allow the facility to have a new HVAC system and
replace window air conditioning units and space heaters. The lighting
and windows will be replaced with improved energy efficient systems.
Safety issues will also be addressed with the placement of new front
steps,
ice guards on the roof, a stairway between the Children's Library and
the second floor to provide an additional means of egress, improved
outside lighting and emergency and exit lighting inside. Security
cameras will be added to the second floor and staff offices on the third
floor will be inaccessible to unauthorized persons. All of the
necessary improvements will be achieved with the goal of preserving the
integrity of the historic 1915 building, Westphal said. The
exterior facade will not be dramatically changed. Window choices and
step repair will be made with continuity in mind and the interior
renovations will retain the historic flavor of the building. Recent
foyer renovation will serve as a guide for the first floor enhancements,
the director said. ADA accessibility also will be enhanced with a
redesigned ramp access, an ADA restroom on the first floor, an upgraded
elevator system and ADA furnishings.
Paying for the Project
With Tuesday's voter approval, the library project will be funded by a
bond that will be no longer than 20 years and will cost property owners
approximately 14 cents per $100 valuation, which means about $26
annually for a $100,000 home, based on projections by the Library
Campaign Committee. Case Contracting and Creal Clark and Seifert
comprise the team working on this project. The project, Westphal
said, will begin in late summer and take about 15
months to complete.
A ceremony will be planned once the renovation is ready to begin, she
said.
03 13 08
City Council voices support for library bond issue
Chillicothe City Council members approved several contracts for the
coming
year, approved a bid for improvements on Trenton Road and endorsed the
proposed countywide tax levy for renovating the Livingston County
Library.
Library Director Robin Westphal presented information about the proposed
April 8 tax levy bond issue that would fund an extensive $3.4 million
renovation project at the library.
Westphal asked the council for its support of the proposal, stating that
renovating the structure (first built as a federal building about 100
years
ago) not only preserves an element of history, but keeps the library in
the
center of downtown Chillicothe and would be about half the cost of
building
a new library.
The council was unanimous in their support for the ballot measure and
4th
Ward Councilwoman Pam Jarding told Westphal that the group should be
commended for wanting to renovate the existing business.
Others present with Westphal representing the library were Dale Wallace,
Inger Young and Barbara French.
The proposed tax levy is $0.14 per $100 valuation to last no longer than
20
years. This translates to about $26 annually for a person owning a home
valued at $100,000; or about $13 for a person owning a home valued at
$50,000.
The issue needs 4/7 (57 percent) approval to pass.
The bond question gives broad authorization for the board to direct
funds
toward the payment of renovating, repairing, improving and equipping the
existing Livingston County Library. Infrastructure improvements include
new
plumbing, upgrades to the electrical system and HVAC units to heat and
cool
the whole building. Also included in the proposed renovations are
measures
to improve the functionality of the building including restoring
restroom
facilities on the second and third floor, improving the teen area and<
increasing the availability of independent study area.
The Livingston County Library is supported by a current property tax
levy of
26.73 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. A small amount of funding
comes
from the State of Missouri. Donations from the Friends of the Library
and
individuals also assist in the funding of the library.
In 2006, an architectural firm completed a feasibility study which
showed
that renovations could be made on the current library building. During
the
review of the libraryıs structural issues, ATA Architects found that the
building is sound and worth saving and that it was valued at $2 million.
03 10 08
The book sale on the second
floor of the Livingston County Library features thousands of books in
every genre as well as DVDs, videos, audio cassettes and even a few
encyclopedia collections. The annual event raises funds for the Friends
of the Library and will be open to the public Monday through Saturday
next week. Friends of the Library members are getting a sneak peak today
(Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).
02 01 08
Board Predicts 14-Cent Levy for
Library Bond Issue
Published: Friday, February 1, 2008 Chillicothe
Constitution-Tribune
The tax levy for the bond issue that would fund an
extensive $3.4 million renovation project at the Livingston County
Library was predicted yesterday (Thursday) by the Livingston County
Library Board of Trustees. The tax levy for the renovation is projected
to be about $0.14 per $100 valuation. These figures are based on current
interest rates for a 20-year bond. “A person who owns a home valued at
$100,000 would pay approximately $26 a year for these improvements,”
Robin Westphal, library director explained.
In January, the Livingston County Library Board approved a resolution
calling for a bond election for the library renovation. The bond issue
will be placed on the April 8 ballot. The vote would need 4/7 (57
percent) approval to pass.
The bond question gives broad authorization for the board to direct
funds toward the payment of renovating, repairing, improving and
equipping the existing Livingston County Library.Infrastructure
improvements include new plumbing, upgrades to the electrical system and
HVAC units to heat and cool the whole building. Also included in the
renovations are measures to improve the functionality of the building
including restoring restroom facilities on the second and third floor,
improving the teen area and increasing the availability of independent
study area.
The Livingston County Library is supported by a current property tax
levy of 26.73 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. A small amount of
funding comes from the State of Missouri. Donations from the Friends of
the Library and individuals also assist in the funding of the Library.
In 2006, an architectural firm completed a feasibility study which
showed that renovations could be made on the current library building.
During the review of the libraryıs structural issues, ATA Architects
found that the building is sound and worth saving and that it was valued
at $2 million.
At that time, the Livingston County Library Board of Trustees made the
decision to make renovations to the building.If passed by voters in
April, renovation would likely begin in late summer, Westphal reported.
The Livingston County Board of Trustees are: Linda Beetsma, president;
Dale Wallace, vice president; Karen Nichols, treasurer; Marion Harter,
secretary; and Inger Young, board member.
01 18 08
Library question to be placed on
April 8 ballot
Published: Friday, January
18, 2008 3:37 PM CST Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune
A bond issue that would fund an extensive $3.4 million renovation
project at the Livingston County Library will be placed on the April 8
ballot.
The Livingston County Library Board of Trustees met yesterday (Thursday)
during a special meeting at the library and unanimously approved the
resolution calling for a bond election.
Just prior to the unanimous vote, Dale Wallace, vice president,
commented that the idea of renovating the historic building is not a new
one.
“This has been a topic of discussion ever since I came on the board six
years ago,” Wallace noted. He added that when the board hired director
Robin Westphal two years ago, the board charged her with the task of
proceeding with the idea of possible renovations to the building.
Renovating the historic building, Wallace says, is long overdue. In
fact, aside from some cosmetic changes to the library in the past few
years, an extensive renovation project improving its infrastructure -
i.e. the plumbing and wiring, has never been done.
“And that's where all the major problems are,” Wallace said.
Meeting with the board were attorney Toni I. Stegeman, with Gilmore &
Bell, PC, Kansas City, Mo.; and Michael L. Hartmann, vice president of
Commerce Bank, Columbia, Mo.
Prior to the resolution vote, Stegeman and the board examined the
language involved with the bond question and Hartmann advised the panel
on bonding issues.
The question gives broad authorization for the board to direct funds
toward the payment of renovating, repairing, improving and equipping the
existing Livingston County Library. Those practices would include
extensive plumbing and electrical improvements, installation of central
heating and air, technology improvements, renovations and restorations
providing public meeting rooms, restrooms and administrative space,
other improvements required for safety and handicapped accessibility,
enabling full use of all levels of the building.
01 16 08
Library board considering levy to renovate building
Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:58 PM CST Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune
The Livingston County Library Board will meet in a special meeting
tomorrow (Thursday) to vote on a resolution calling for a bond election
for the renovation of the library.
According to Robin Westphal, library director, the bond issue would
cover renovation of the library including repairing infrastructure such
as plumbing, heating and cooling and wiring.
“Those are the main components of the renovation,” Westphal said, adding
that if passed, there would also likely be cosmetic changes and updating
at the library.
If the Livingston County Library Board passes the resolution for the
bond election, the issue would be placed on the April ballot for
approval by the voters. The vote would need 4/7 (57 percent) approval to
pass.
The current levy for the library is 0.2673. The renovations would be
paid for through an additional levy, with a 15 to 20 year bond.
01 11 08
Fewer sites available this year to obtain paper
tax forms
Published: Thursday, January 10, 2008 3:48 PM CST
Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune
Increases in the number of home computers and public access to the
Internet have impacted what has been considered tradition and this year,
Uncle Sam is continuing to make adjustments in accordance with a greater
demand for online services.
While taxpayers have been able to obtain federal tax forms via the
Internet for the last several years the government agency has
traditionally made forms available at several locations within
Chillicothe. This year, however, there
is only one site - the Livingston County Library
- at least so far that has some of the more common tax return forms
available.
The federal forms arrived on Monday; however, none were delivered to the
courthouse or the post office which traditionally have been pickup
sites.
“More and more people are filing electronically,” said Michael Devine, a
spokesman for the IRS in St. Louis, noting that the number of locations
where the paper forms are available has dropped in general as paper
filing has declined.
As the popularity of electronic filing soars, the number of paper
returns from Kansas and Missouri has dropped 10 percent since 2004, the
IRS says. This year, an estimated 60 percent or 1,583,000 Missouri
returns will be e-filed.
Taxpayers can file their returns electronically one of three ways:
through their tax preparer; through over-the-counter software; or
through IRS Free File. The IRS will start accepting electronically-filed
forms on Friday.
Devine said that electronic returns are less likely to contain errors as
opposed to paper returns and that paper returns have around a 20 percent
error rate, especially when completed close to the tax filing deadline.
“Electronic returns have less than a 1 percent error rate,” Devine said.
“They are faster, more accurate and secure.”
Devine also noted that if returns are filed electronically and the
taxpayer chooses to have refunds deposited directly into a bank account,
deposits can be made in as few as 10 days whereas if filing by mail,
refunds can take four to six weeks.
10 01 07
Missouri Photo Workshop
A steady stream of people flowed through the old courtroom on the second floor of the Livingston County Library Saturday to view more than 400 photographs of Chillicothe's people and places. The photographs represented the culmination of a week-long
Missouri Photo Workshop which is a part of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Each of the 40 photo stories may be found on the internet at
www.mophotoworkshop.org.
For more information, click
here.
08 28 07
Library Gets Grant for Seniors Programs
The library has received a grant from the Missouri State
Library Discoveries: Programs for Seniors in the amount of $1,777.72 to
be used for four different programs focusing on basic computer use for
seniors. Four classes will meet weekly beginning September 10, 2007.
Those interested are urged to contact the library to register.
