Library tax won't be on ballot this year

A library tax renewal rejected by voters in April won't be back on the ballot this year.

The Lafayette Parish public library board decided Monday against asking voters in December to renew the 1.61-mill parish wide property tax that was rejected April 28.

The board felt more time is needed to review the library system's finances, capital expenses and recurring operating expenses before taking action.

The library system also just began a facilities condition assessment to determine what major expenses the library buildings may need in the next 30 years, including new roofs, air conditioning, and boilers.

What's next for Lafayette Parish libraries?

"We decided we didn't want to make a knee-jerk reaction," Director Teresa Elberson said.

The tax doesn't expire until 2019, so it won't affect the 2018-19 fiscal year budget being prepared at this time. The tax generates about $3.4-3.5 million a year.

Finance Chairman Andrew Duhon said the library system can operate for some time drawing upon its fund balance or savings. Eventually, though, the savings will be gone and a recurring source of income will be needed, he said.

The library system has a $42 million fund balance, Duhon said. but at least $20 million of that is earmarked for capital projects such as construction of the West Regional Library branch in the Scott area.

Library tax vote sign of a trend?

The failed tax is one of three property taxes collected for the library system.

The library board had considered placing the 1.61-mill property tax before voters again Dec. 8. That ballot will include a runoff for Congressional District 3, a new 3/4-cent parish wide sales tax for the Sheriff's Office and possibly a new 7.6-mill property tax in unincorporated parts of Lafayette Parish for fire protection.

New PAC spent $21,000 fighting library tax renewal

Michael Lunsford, who administers the Lafayette Citizens Against Taxes social media Facebook page and a political action committee that spent $21,000 to fight the April 28 library tax, attended Monday's board meeting but declined to comment.