Currently, Henderson has a lower tax rate than any other Clark County library district; district hasn’t had tax increase since 1991
HENDERSON, Nev. – To help offset the severe loss in revenue the district has endured, Henderson Libraries is proposing an ad valorem tax rate increase of 2 cents per $100 in assessed property value.
The decline in assessed property value and the related tax revenues have resulted in a 30 percent loss of revenue for the library district over the past several years. Cuts have been made everywhere possible – staff, hours, programs and materials have all been reduced – to keep the district going despite the huge revenue loss, but the district cannot continue to operate all branches and services.
Currently, the library receives 5.75 cents per $100 in assessed property value. With the increase, the library would receive 7.75 cents per $100 in assessed property value. The last time the library received a tax rate increase was in 1991 when Henderson had less than 65,000 residents. Today Henderson has more than 265,000 residents.
If the increase passes when voted on in November, the money will go toward necessary operating expenses (such as utilities, office supplies, building maintenance, etc.) and the purchase of library materials for public use. It will not be used to increase salaries, benefits or personnel expenses.
If the initiative does not pass, the Galleria Library and the Malcolm Library will close and jobs associated with those libraries will be eliminated. Fewer library materials will be purchased for the remaining libraries, causing longer wait times for popular titles. Library hours will likely be reduced further, and some services may be discontinued entirely.
Currently, the Henderson library district receives far less than other Clark County library districts, with Henderson Libraries at 5.75 cents; North Las Vegas Library at 6.32 cents; Boulder City Library at 8.55 cents; and Las Vegas Clark Co. Library District at 9.42 cents per $100 in assessed property value.
In local revenue dollars, Henderson Libraries receives an average of $24.38 per person, far less than the national average of $32.83 per person, or even the Nevada statewide average of $29.28.
Established in 1943 as a single library in Downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School District and all other libraries around the state to provide quality service forNevada’s residents.
For additional information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-6581.