BENTON, Tenn. — Supporters said a plan to build two full-service libraries in Polk County is dead after county commissioners refused to supply $49,000 in funds.
“The library is dead. The life support has been pulled,” library supporter Sally Love said after the Polk County Commission met Thursday night.
Only three of eight commissioners present voted to use county funds to support countywide library services, with buildings in Benton and Ducktown. The county now provides about $30,000 for two small, part-time libraries, which officials said will continue to operate.
Supporters had put together a funding proposal that reduced their initial $150,000 request to $98,000. Supporters told commissioners that donations from the city of Ducktown and a break on utility costs from the city of Benton would further reduce the county’s commitment to $50,000.
Commissioner Darren Waters told supporters if they could shave off another $1,000, he would make the motion for a vote to provide support beginning in 2009-10.
Supporters were disappointed when only three commissioners voted in favor.
Ms. Love said that for a total of $97,000, the county would have received $723,000 in grants and donations.
She said a major contributor has told the library board it would pull its $50,000 pledge today if the commission did not approve the funds. The project also will lose state and federal grants, she said, and personal donations will be given to other nonprofit organizations.
Before the vote, Commissioner Wanda Cheek suggested a 2 percent hotel/motel tax to raise library operating funds. But several cabin owners and managers at the meeting said anything that increased costs could kill their already slow business.
Rick Scott, who rents several cabins, said reservations are down as much as 35 percent this year.
“Guests are price-conscious and I get cancellations when they find out the sales and lodging taxes,” Mr. Scott said.
He said comparable cabins cost less in Georgia because taxes are lower there.
Although no resolution for a hotel/motel tax was on the agenda and there was no vote, Ms. Cheek said she had hoped the hotel/motel tax could be implemented.
“Tourists have more money than the locals do,” she said.
Or login with:
New Account