This was posted on the internal Celebration message board regarding the proposed library for Celebration. The author has allowed this to be posted here, as it may interest those that don’t frequent or have access to that board:

The library System in Osceola is funded with a dedicated millage rate of .50 mil per 1000.00 of Property tax value. The money generated is to provide for the library system only and could not be used for other activities (i.e. roads, parks, code enforcement, etc). The library millage rate is to be added to the total (aggregate) millage rate for the county and published for the citizens to evaluate.

Before 2008, when the commissioners needed more flexibility in spending for the county, they would reduce the library millage (because it was restricted) and place that portion of the millage as an increase in the general millage rate. This would have the effect of increasing the money available to spend on other projects without having to raise the overall county rate. However it came at a cost…with the library millage being reduced, the library system will have less money for operating the library system. The Commissioners could then say they did not raise your overall millage rate, but with the reduction in library millage, the commissioners would have more money to put in other services. Commissioner Harford feels this is clearly wrong, and the millage rate that was approved by the voting public in this county (.5 millage rate for library services) and that is what we should be using to fund the library. We are currently at .256 millage rate for the Library system.

That being said here is the what you can do:

• Send e-mail or call the other county commissioners and let them know you want full funding for the library system, having the .5 mill restored to fund the library system. This will have an effect on the overall millage rate and you must be willing to see the increase in the overall millage or when the rate is restored, the money will come from other services provided by the general millage rate. Let them know also that you do not want the library hours reduced or services limited.

• Attend the workshop on July 25th when they discuss the library options.

  If no funding is changed possible different scenarios include the West Osceola (Celebration) branch could be delayed, or moved to another temporary site until economy gets better then build the branch. In all scenarios a reduction in hours and services is listed as an option.

• If this is an important issue to you, please contact the number or e-mails below. You don’t need to contact Commissioner Harford, other than if you wish to thank him for pushing for this to move forward.

  Main Number 407-742-2000

  Commissioner John “Q” Quiñones
  • Vice Chairman, Commissioner District 2
  • johnq@osceola.org

  Commissioner Brandon Arrington
  • Chairman, Commissioner District 3
  • barr@osceola.org

  Commissioner Frank Attkisson
  • Commissioner District 4
  • frank.attkisson@osceola.org

  Commissioner Fred Hawkins, Jr.
  • Commissioner District 5
  • fhaw@osceola.org

With the tenant shuffle happening at the Water Tower Plaza and the dubious status of the new library branch, Celebration faces the possibility of having no library until action is taken. The next-nearest branch appears to be about 10 miles away, or probably 20 minutes at least with traffic.