Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mid‑Continent and Kansas City libraries warn proposed credit would force cuts
Summary
Two library systems told Jackson County legislators the residential tax credit would cost libraries millions and impair services; leaders urged an approach that preserves predictable funding and allows taxing jurisdictions to recoup revenue when appropriate.
Leaders of two large library systems told the Jackson County Legislature on June 29 that the proposed residential tax credit could force program cuts and constrain long‑term planning.
Aaron Mason, Executive Director of Mid‑Continent Public Libraries, told the Legislature that property tax revenue represents nearly all of his system's operating budget and that the county's estimate of the proposed residential credit could "total roughly 6,400,000 over 3 years, or about 2,100,000 a year" in lost revenue. He warned that Mid‑Continent levies across three counties, so a Jackson‑only recoupment levy would unfairly shift costs to residents of Clay and Platte counties.
Abby Yelman, chief executive of the Kansas City Public Library, said the county estimate would translate to "more than $3,000,000 of lost revenue for our Kansas City public library over the next 3 years," and urged legislators to pursue relief that "preserves the stability of our funding" so libraries can continue core services as demand grows.
Both library directors endorsed relief for homeowners but emphasized the trade‑offs and asked the county to give taxing jurisdictions choices and to coordinate with the state auditor so jurisdictions can pursue recoupment where permitted.
