Council certifies combined library levy for November ballot; director outlines annex plan

Defiance City Council on June 9 certified a resolution directing the board of elections to place a combined renewal and increase library levy on the November ballot that would raise the library’s levy to 1.65 mills. The resolution was presented as required under Ohio Revised Code provisions governing tax levies.

Cara Potter, director of the Defiance Public Library (who identified herself during the meeting), told council the levy’s purpose is to cover operating costs so the library can remain in its 125‑year‑old building, to fund construction of an annex across the street for children’s services and maker space, and to backfill debt payments the library will make from its public library fund. She said the annex would include children’s services on the first floor, a large community room on the second floor for library programming and community use, dedicated office space for an adult literacy coordinator, an expanded maker space and added study rooms. Potter said the library plans to break ground in the spring following successful voter approval.

On funding structure, Potter said Ohio law allows public libraries to borrow against the public library fund (the library’s operating fund) and that the levy is structured to backfill those debt payments rather than operate as a conventional construction bond. She acknowledged the board will provide specific expenditure estimates and a schedule to council and said the board considered, but was advised against, placing separate levies for operating and the building because of the risk that voters might approve the building and not the operating levy, which would jeopardize branch operations.

Council asked for clarifications on the levy term and timing; Potter confirmed the levy term discussed was 35 years and said the library’s current operating levy will expire in 2027 if a replacement is not approved. She also said the library experienced a recent state funding reduction (about $80,000) in the public library fund distribution and is using savings accumulated over prior years to contribute to the project.

The resolution directs the board of elections to place the question before voters; council voted to adopt the resolution so the question can be certified in time for the allocation application and the November ballot.

Details not specified at council: specific total project cost and the library’s exact annual debt payment schedule (the director said those estimates will be provided later).