Today, the Allen County Council officially approved the Phase 1 tax bond for the Allen County Public Library’s Facilities Master Plan, paving the way for significant enhancements to library facilities and infrastructure throughout the county.
News release from the Allen County Public Library:
Allen County Council Approves Library’s Master Plan Funding
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 14, 2024) – The Allen County Council has officially approved the Phase 1 tax bond for the Allen County Public Library’s (ACPL) Facilities Master Plan, paving the way for significant enhancements to library facilities and infrastructure throughout the county.
During the November 13, 2024, council meeting, members voted 5-2 in favor of the bond, which will fund critical improvements designed to meet the growing needs of the community. This initial phase focuses on renovations, accessibility upgrades, and technology enhancements across seven ACPL locations.
“The approval of this bond is an important step towards ensuring the library remains vibrant for generations to come,” said ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier. “Our public libraries are essential resources for education, community engagement, economic development, and access to information. The County Council has voted to protect the taxpayers’ investment and bring this project to reality. We could not do it without them, and they have stepped up in the most impactful way!”
The Facilities Master Plan aims to modernize library facilities, enhance user experiences, and expand community programming. Key features of the plan includes projects at the following locations:
- Aboite (built in 1990) and Shawnee (built in 1973, renovated in 2004): sale of the existing property and construction of a new branch nearby
- Dupont (built in 1990) and Georgetown (built in 2004): heavy renovation on the existing location
- Hessen Cassel (built in 1972, renovated in 2004): heavy renovation or property sale and build a new library nearby
- New Haven (built in 2003): medium renovation
- Main (built in 2007): select interior renovations funded by a portion of bond financing and roof/solar/chiller project funded by ACPL reserves (currently underway and qualifies for federal incentives for green energy).
The decision came following a presentation from Baier, ACPL Chief Financial Officer David Sedestrom, ACPL Board of Trustees President Ben Eisbart, Capital Projects Committee Chair Marty Seifert, and Baker Tilly Director Jason Tanselle that highlighted the research, community feedback, and years of planning that contributed to the proposal. It also shared the results of a 2024 independent American Pulse poll that showed 86.9% of taxpayers said they would support a tax increase if it meant an investment in the library they love. Furthermore, the Library collected nearly 6000 signatures of support from the community in the weeks leading up to the Council meeting.
ACPL leadership, including its Board of Trustees, worked with council leaders to ensure the proposal was presented at the right time. The Phase 1 proposal includes a tax bond of 37 million dollars combined with more than 20 million dollars from the ACPL’s reserve funds. The estimated tax impact is $0.0165 per $100 of assessed home value. As an example, a homeowner with an assessed value of $150,000 could anticipate an increase of $10.94 annually. The bonds will also be subject to the existing tax caps.
“We are always mindful of the impact on taxpayers and careful that each dollar they invest is maximized for their benefit,” said ACPL Board of Trustees President Ben Eisbart. “The poll, surveys, and community conversations reinforce that Allen County believes we are responsible stewards of their tax dollars, and we are so pleased that Council has approved the bond so we can continue to protect the community’s investment in the ACPL.”
The plan now moves to Fort Wayne City Council for approval of the bond expenditures. Upon that approval, the ACPL is eager to begin working with contractors and putting projects into action.
The ACPL encourages residents to stay engaged with the ongoing development of the Facilities Master Plan. Updates will be provided through the library’s website at https://www.acpl.lib.in.us/youracpl and social media channels.
About the Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 125 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 2.7 million items, with a circulation total of 4.2 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 30,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.
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