Bond could fund library updates

The Morrisson-Reeves Library building on North Sixth Street turned 50 years old a couple of years ago, and the building’s beginning to show its age.

The problems aren’t just cosmetic. Dena Little, director of MRL, appeared before Wayne County Council during its June 4 meeting to describe a nearly $26 million project planned to fix the building and improve library services.

Kevin McCurdy of LWC Inc. spoke about the building’s problems. Some of the bricks are separating from the steel that’s intended to support them. He said the issues are a result of the transitioning construction methods of the 1970s and elevated the project from replacing some bricks to repairing structural issues.

“Unfortunately, what you’re seeing are the effects of water and moisture getting trapped in those walls and not being able to get out, so the water’s attacking all the steel that’s behind that,” McCurdy said.

Council is the elected fiscal authority over the library and must approve a bond necessary to generate $18,720,000 of the estimated $25,943,914.56 cost. Little provided information during this meeting, with the intent to return during council’s August meeting to request action on the bond.

“We wouldn’t be here and talking about this project if we didn’t think it was absolutely necessary,” Little said.

The escalating construction also meant addressing areas not compliant with current code or with the Americans with Disabilities Act. At that point, the library engaged in master planning to find out what staff and patrons want the library to be moving forward. Those results have created a reimagined space to better serve those wants.

“We have this great big space, we just need to change things around a little bit,” Little said.

Jason Tanselle of Baker Tilly said the needed bond would cause a property tax rate of $0.1024. That would cost $53.14 annually for the median Wayne County home assessed at $136,000, $201.85 annually for 100 acres of farmland and $102.40 for commercial property. Richmond, Spring Grove and Wayne Township property owners would pay the tax, beginning in 2027.

The bond would be repaid in 19 years and six months, with an interest expense of $13,854,000 assuming 6% interest. Tanselle said that’s a conservatively high figure, as rates are now about 4.5%.

Funding requests

Commissioner Jeff Plasterer provided council members with preliminary information about funding requests from three organizations. No action was taken.

HELP the Animals has requested funding for a $48,000 project that would repair existing kennels and build new kennels to expand its space. The county contracts with HELP for its animal control officer to place animals at HELP.

Union County Transit, which provides vans to drive residents to appointments, is requesting an increase in the $10,000 annual subsidy the county provides it.

The county is also considering a Whitewater Community Television proposal to livestream and store video of county meetings in compliance with a new state law that takes effect July 1. WCTV’s proposal is $40,000, with a cost of $250 per hour.

Plasterer said the county could also consider the amount it contributes to WCTV from franchise fees paid by Comcast and Charter for cable television service. He said the county received about $32,000 in fees last year and has been committing $25,000 per year to WCTV. However, the state legislature reduced by 20% what companies must pay in franchise fees beginning next year.

Personnel decisions

During its personnel committee meeting, council approved a new policy for posting job openings. The policy will require council and the human resources department to perform due diligence to determine if an opening should be posted and filled.

The major concern is jobs within the county’s general fund, and, ironically, members heard two requests from departments not using general fund money.

Recorder Debbie Tiemann requested filling two full-time positions, one that has been open and one that will soon open because of a retirement. Tiemann pays for the positions from her perpetuation fund. She also requested the positions work 40 hours weekly rather than the department’s current 35.5 hours, saying she’d cut an open part-time position to actually save $18,617.

Council approved her request.

Mike Sharp, supervisor of the highway department, requested permission to replace a truck driver who has resigned. The highway fund is separate from the general fund, and the request was approved.

Hiring requests by Superior Court 1 Judge Ronald Moore and by Sheriff Randy Retter were delayed for council to follow its new policy.

Other actions

• Council reappointed members Gary Saunders and Beth Leisure to the county’s redevelopment commission.
• Council voted to recommend the redevelopment commission capture 100% of the tax increment finance funds available to it.