Issue 1 would renew a minor property tax levy for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Since it’s simply a renewal, it would not increase taxes from current levels. But it would provide a lot — $181 million over the next 10 years — to help the library keep its finances in order.
The levy is especially important following years of state funding cuts. Between 2003 and 2012, state funding for libraries plummeted from nearly $453 million to roughly $344 million.
The cost of the levy is pretty minimal: For homeowners, the library costs about $30 for every $100,000 of property value. That’s a bargain for one of the busiest library systems in the country.
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2013.
