District library to seek $14 million bond for 20 years

The Belleville Area District Library Board will seek permission from voters for a bond of $14 million to be paid off in 20 years, 2 months.
The bond will be put on the Nov. 8 ballot along with .75 mills operating funds for 20 years to add to the current approved .7 mill that expires in 2022.
The decision was made at the board’s regular meeting June 14.
The board considered whether to have the bond for 25 years, 2 months, which would cost less each year but boost the total interest paid to $11.7 million.
The 20 years, 2 months interest paid is estimated at $8.7 million.
The decision is based on a successful bond election in November, bonds dated March 2017, an annual Taxable Value growth rate of 1.5%, and an allowance for delinquency of 7%.
In other business at the one hour, 13-minute meeting, the board:
• Received new drawings of the proposed library from architect Dan Whisler. When asked about the flat roof, Whisler said the Belleville Building Zoning Ordinance requires a flat roof. He said it’s not really flat, bur has to slope to drain. Most flat roofs are not a problem, he said, and, “It’s impossible to put a sloped roof on every building”;
• Voted to decline Sam Cumberledge’s offer to videotape meetings and try to record meetings internally. They also agreed to thank Sam for his interest and efforts. They potentially could call on him for special events in the future. Cumberledge had recorded the May meeting, volunteering his time;
• Approved the 2016-17 proposed “pretty-much status quo” budget of $977,508 and the amended 2015-16 budget of $998,090, after a public hearing in which no public spoke. Library Director Mary Jo Suchy said she had used $20,690 from fund balance to balance the 2015-16 budget, but she said after the upcoming audit they may find that may not have been necessary. The extra expenditures ($55,000 instead of the proposed $5,000) were for professional fees for architect;
• Approved a resolution that sets aside half the millage funds that come in during the calendar year into the library’s next fiscal year as required by GASB 54. “The fiscal year doesn’t match when we get our millage,” Suchy explained;
• Was informed John Peter’s painting “Ideas,” that was on loan to the library for many years, caught the eye of one of the patrons and was purchased. Peters has loaned the library two more of his works to fill the empty wall space. He also has volunteered to create and donate a painting for the new library; and
• Learned Nakenya Lewis Yarborough has been hired for the summer as a library intern. She is scheduled to graduate with her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Wayne State University in December and she will assist with reference during the summer reading programs, among other assignments.
The board met with a bare quorum, with three members absent and excused: Michael Boelter, LaChelle Reed Caver, and M.J. Dawson.