CEDAR RAPIDS - The Library Board of Trustees has voted to defer a public vote on a 27 cent operating levy for the library in November of this year.

“The library has tremendous community support, for which we are grateful,” says Susan Corrigan, President of the Library Board of Trustees. “While the petition drive to gather signatures has been very successful, the public has also been sharing its concern about putting the operating levy on the ballot before more concrete information about the new building is known.”

Funds from an increase in the levy would support operations of a new facility, but would not be used to help cover construction costs.

Postponing the vote for an increase in the current 4 cent library operating levy will give library leadership the time to continue planning for a new facility and to present more detailed information to voters.

With that noted, Corrigan states, “Remember library funding is a preflood issue. Cedar Rapids has not been keeping up with other communities in the state in funding its library.”

Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Iowa City and Davenport all have a library levy at the maximum amount of 27 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation.

Additionally, the library budget has been negatively impacted given that FEMA to date has not supported covering any incremental interim costs due to the flood.

Corrigan states that work will be done to seek legislative change to allow the use of an off municipal election for the library levy. As currently provided, the next opportunity to place on the ballot is not until November 2011.