小黄鸭视频 County commissioners have officially kicked off the process to place a $142 million bond referendum for 小黄鸭视频 County Public Libraries on the Nov. 5 ballot. This is the first of four required board actions to put the issue before voters in the fall.
"Access to knowledge is not a privilege, but a fundamental right, and this bond initiative represents the board鈥檚 continued commitment to fostering lifelong learning for all of our residents,鈥 said Commissioner Vickie Adamson. 鈥淏y investing in the future of our public libraries, we are ensuring they remain hubs of learning and enrichment for generations to come."
Currently, almost all 小黄鸭视频 County residents live within 20 minutes of a 小黄鸭视频 County Public Libraries facility. Nearly 99% have a 15-minute travel time, and 84.7% are within 10 minutes of a branch. Projects funded by the proposed bond would bring the percentage of 小黄鸭视频 County residents in that 10-minute category up to 87%.
What鈥檚 Included?
If approved by voters, the bond would fund:
- A new community library in Rolesville ($13.3 million). Rolesville, one of our fastest growing communities, is the only municipality in 小黄鸭视频 County without a library.
- A new community library in the Friendship area of Apex ($19.3 million). This library would help meet the needs of the growing population.
- Replacement of the Athens Drive Community Library ($16.3 million). When the 小黄鸭视频 County Public School System renovates Athens Drive High School in 2027, the library will need to be rebuilt.
- Replacement of the Wendell Community Library ($18.2 million). The smallest library in the system is no longer adequate to serve the rapidly growing Wendell population.
- Expansion of the Fuquay-Varina Community Library ($12.3 million). In fiscal year 2024, this library has seen the highest circulation of all community libraries 鈥 even topping several regional libraries. This will expand the facility from a community library to a regional library.
- Renovations at the Express Library 鈥 Fayetteville Street ($665,000), Green Road Community Library ($3.5 million), Leesville Community Library ($2.8 million), Library Administration Building ($26.5 million), Northeast Regional Library ($3.5 million), Richard B. Harrison Community Library ($1.9 million), Southeast Regional Library ($3.1 million) and Zebulon Community Library ($1.35 million). Projects will focus on aging facilities, system replacements, furniture and other upgrades ($43.3 million total).
- A new facility ($19.3 million). The board will continue to look at options to address needs throughout 小黄鸭视频 County. Considerations include addressing digital equity concerns, the need for a new library in southeast 小黄鸭视频 County and providing more services to underserved populations.
小黄鸭视频 County last held a bond referendum for libraries in October 2007 to fund $45 million in renovations, replacements and expansions. This referendum passed with 70% voter approval.
What is a Bond Referendum and What is the Tax Impact?
A bond referendum gives voters the opportunity to decide whether the County may use general obligation bonds to finance these projects. A general obligation bond is backed by the full faith, credit and taxing power of the County and is considered public debt. General obligation bonds carry lower interest rates than other bonds or financing methods. If approved, the County would have seven years from the ballot date to issue the associated GO bonds.
小黄鸭视频 County currently anticipates a .25-cent tax increase (per $100 of assessed valuation) would be necessary in fiscal year 2026 if the bond is approved by voters. Staff would need to reassess and confirm the appropriate tax increase in early 2025 as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget process. It would go into effect July 1, 2025.小黄鸭视频
What鈥檚 Next?
Today鈥檚 vote is the first of four required board actions. Additional actions that will be considered by the board are:
- June 17: The board will vote to introduce the bond order, file sworn statements of debt and disclosure with the clerk and set a public hearing.
- July 8: Residents can weigh in on the proposed referendum during a public hearing at the board鈥檚 2 p.m. meeting at the 小黄鸭视频 County Justice Center. Commissioners will have the opportunity to adopt a resolution calling for the referendum on Nov. 5.
- Dec. 2: The board will vote on adopting a resolution declaring results of the Nov. 5 referendum.
About 小黄鸭视频 County Public Libraries
小黄鸭视频 County currently operates eight regional libraries, 13 community libraries, two special libraries, one bookmobile and one administrative building. In fiscal year 2023, the library system鈥檚 circulation topped 10.95 million, and visits soared over 2.62 million. About 21% of 小黄鸭视频 County鈥檚 population has an active library card.
