On Saturday, April 29, Claiborne Parish residents went to the polls to cast their vote on a parish-wide election for a proposition of 6.19 mills on all parish property subject to taxation for 8 years beginning in 2036 and ending in 2043. This will amount to an estimated $729,200 to be collected from the tax levy for an entire year. The passing of the millage or ‘mil’ will be used for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating public libraries in Claiborne Parish.
“On behalf of the Claiborne Parish Library Board of Control and the library staff and myself personally, thank you to voters who supported the library in the election Saturday,” Library Director Pam Suggs said.
According to the Secretary of State website a total of 714 residents participated in this election with 334 casting their vote early.
The proposition passed by a wide margin with 72.97% voting “yes” and 27.03 voting “no.” With all precincts reporting that equaled a total of 521 voting “yes” and 193 voting “no.”
With the renewed ad valorem the Claiborne Parish Library System is looking forward to getting back to work on the building remodeling project in Haynesville.
“With the renewed ad valorem tax for regular library operations, we can go before the Louisiana Bond Commission to submit a proposal to borrow the funds for the remodeling and show we will be able to repay the bonds,” said Suggs. “This process worked successfully with the main library building and we were able to pay off the bond debt early.”
The tax renewal will assist in moving the Haynesville Branch Library project along, but will also be used for the day-to-day operations of the parish libraries.
“In a time when some think libraries are obsolete,” Suggs said, “we provide services many Claiborne Parish residents don’t have, such as internet access. From providing access to digital resources and ematerials, offering test preparation services, hosting educational programs, providing meeting & study rooms, office resources such as copying and faxing, and a safe environment, the library is an invaluable resource for our community.”