It’s that time of year again! Time to make the annual trek to the County Collector’s office to pay taxes. Between the cost of this and Christmas, our bank accounts are lighter at the end of the year. As you take the time to review your bill this month, please note the taxes you pay to support Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL). Twenty cents is levied per $100 assessed valuation of your personal property/real estate taxes. This is the formula used to determine the amount of library tax you owe. For example, if you own a home with an assessed valuation of $20,000 your library tax would be $40.00 dollars.

In 1964, MRRL, formerly known as the Thomas Jefferson Library System, had a ballot initiative to raise the then ten-cent levy to a twenty-cent levy. It was passed by a favorable margin and used to build our current library.  It also made more operational funds available that allows us to maintain and run the library to this day.  Though our levy has not increased in fifty-eight years, the good news is that home and property value increases have also increased library revenues over the years. With this tax revenue, the library is able to maintain the facilities, hire great staff, and provide all the wonderful collections, programs and services for our communities in Cole and Osage Counties. 

In the coming years, the main library is faced with the challenge of addressing four critical building issues including outdated elevators and restrooms that barely meet ADA code, cast iron pipes, and a maxed out electrical infrastructure. As library administration makes plans to correct these issues, the library leadership believes it is the right time to dream bigger to create a larger, more accessible space for all. For renovation and expansion, community support of libraries is in the form of tax dollars. Tax dollars are vital to any library’s growth, and I hope you will approve an increase when asked in the future by this library.