To: Charlie Smyth, Ward 1, Eric Jakobsson, Ward 2, Carol C. Ammons, Ward 3, Bill Brown, Ward 4, Dennis P. Roberts, Ward 5, Michael P. Madigan, Ward 6, Diane W. Marlin, Ward 7, Laurel Lunt Prussing, Mayor, and Mike Monson, Mayor's Chief of Staff

Urbana: Raise Library Levy Before Cutting Services

The Urbana City Council and the Urbana Free Library board should consider raising the Urbana property tax levy to support the services provided to Urbana residents by the Urbana Free Library before considering cuts to services provided by the library to Urbana residents, such as cutting library hours.

Why is this important?

The City of Urbana and the Urbana Free Library are facing new budget challenges following Carle Hospital's removal from the Urbana tax rolls. In light of these new budget constraints, the board of the Urbana Free Library is beginning to consider cuts to services provided to Urbana residents, such as cutting library hours.

Before considering cuts to library services, the Urbana City Council and the library board should consider raising the library levy. No Urbana homeowner loves the idea of paying higher taxes on their house, but most Urbana homeowners would rather pay a little bit more in taxes than see the Library forced to cut its services to Urbana residents. Show you agree by signing our petition to the Urbana CIty Council and Mayor Prussing.