MacKinnon's proposal failed on a close 6-7 vote.

The city does have the option to lower that tax levy, with council also approving direction to staff to have the city apply for funding from the federal government’s infrastructure program. Tara Baker, the city’s treasurer, said the maximum the city could receive under this program is $36.6 million.

“City staff are confident that this project gives us the greatest chance at success, given that it meets all the application requirements,” Baker said, adding the money would be used to lower that 0.86-per-cent tax burden.

Baker warned that this funding avenue is a very competitive one, saying council should know the potential financial impacts “in the worst-case scenario.”

She added that regulations stemming from changes to the province’s rules around what development charges can and cannot pay for — stemming from the recent approval at Queen’s Park of Bill 108 — had been expected this month, but may not be another month away, if not longer.

While the dollar figures did remain in place, one change that was made was to the number of parking spots on site — or rather, a lack of a number.

Following a 12-1 vote, council voted to remove the specific number of parking spots for Baker, instead having staff work to get as many as possible for the $21-million budget.

Marty Williams, head of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, suggested as much during his delegation, saying the city should take the same approach to parking as it is with the library.

“The number of parking spaces should be determined by the money available, rather than by estimating the cost per space,” he said.

“That is, if we can gain efficiencies with that $21 million, we should build more parking.”

Mayor Cam Guthrie, who voted against the project, said while he was opposed to the amount of money being spent, he would still be a cheerleader for the project.

“That is astronomical, and the appetite in this community for a levy and pushing our debt up for that is way too much, in my opinion,” he said, referring to the budget and associated tax levy.

“After the vote is taken, I am the spokesperson for this council and you have my assurances that I will speak positively whatever the outcome is.”

Although I didn’t vote for this, #Guelph Council has voted to peg the cost at this time for a new library downtown at $67.1 million dollars. I appreciate the feedback and engagement over these last few days. — Mayor Cam Guthrie (@CamGuthrie) September 17, 2019

Public support

While council was split on whether to approve the project, the residents that filled council chambers were more unanimous.

Frequent council delegate Susan Watson said the proposed budget is the cost of what a proper facility would entail.

“The library being put forward to you is not a Rolls-Royce, it's not even a Volvo. It's a Chrysler minivan that will get the job done,” she said.

“If you had six kids, you would not purchase a compact car just because it had a lower sticker price.”

Williams added that delaying the project could see the city miss out on millions of dollars in grants, and should work to get Baker built.

“I'm told by reliable sources that other orders of government need to see that we are serious, that we are committed before they partner with us,” he said.

“At the same time, let's reiterate that this is the library we need, and we need to fund it with or without help from the province or the feds. We need to find a way to build it and to build the appropriate infrastructure to support it.”

Lisa Maslove, the Guelph Public Library Board’s chair, said a new central library would mean more going through its doors, pointing to double-digit increases in program attendance seen in Kitchener and Burlington following the opening of their new libraries.

“This is a historic investment that will yield economic and social returns for decades to come,” she added.

“It's also an opportunity to protect that sense of belonging and pride in our city that we all feel, and we want to pass on to others and preserve.”