It is usually in December that the Danville City Council passes both their new budget and tax levy. While the new fiscal year always starts the following May, the levy needs to be in by the start of the new year; hence, the reason for the usual December double.
But with word out that the Danville Public Library could lose significant money in the new tax levy, negative response to that is already being heard. During the “Public Comment” portion of Tuesday night’s (Oct 7th) Danville City Council meeting, Danville resident Katie Osterbur strongly objected, and explained her reasons to CIMG afterwards.
AUDIO: Libraries have always been the best way to include people, reach people, allow people to learn, access services. And, I feel that we have to look for different revenues of funding for the money they need, and allow our library to continue to flourish.
(1st Picture) Katie Osterbur speaks in defense of Danville Public Library funding. (3rd Picture) Rickey Taylor shows pictures of dumpsters outside a grocery store near his home.
During the “Items of Information” portion at the end of Tuesday’s Council meeting, Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr stated that one problem with the Danville library is too many personnel compared to other libraries of similar size; and that that’s one area where cuts could be made.
But Alderman Doug Ahrens said after the meeting that the library is only part of the budget and levy problem. Ahrens says there is much to figure out, and that the mayor should consider NOT doing the budget and levy at the same time this year.
AUDIO: I think it’s unrealistic to try to force through a property tax levy and a budget in such a short duration, when we are in this fiscal situation. And I hope the mayor understands that, and he will separate the two, and give both the proper attention they deserve. This isn’t something that should be rammed through in 30 to 45 days.
The “Public Comment” portion of Tuesday’s meeting had 11 speakers, including Danville’s Rickey Taylor, who complained about two dumpsters outside the grocery store at Seminary and Griffin. Taylor says this has been going on for over a decade, and that the building owner and store owner simply blame each other.
AUDIO: And the stench is so bad you have to keep your door closed; and this (showing pictures) is what it looks like every day outside that store. (And when you said the owner and the…) They pass the buck. They say the guy that owns the lot, it’s his problem. But he says it’s the company’s problem. So everybody’s just passing the buck.
Other speakers during “Public Comment” included DeeAnn Ryan and Kathleen Orington saying that more needs to be done to help the homeless and mentally ill as we head into the winter months.
