Funding for Library Expansion Included in City of Portage 2012 Budget

Portage budget passes 4-3; money for library expansion included. Portage Daily Register, 12/8/2011)

Excerpt: The 2012 budget includes an overall $4.89 million tax levy, which is up about $51,000 over the 2011 budget.

That money will pay for increased labor costs that were previously negotiated.

The amount decreased from the levy was shifted to join unfunded items in the capital expenditures plan.

As part of that plan, the city committed to spend about $1.3 million next year for capital improvements, including funding for the library, a welcome center in Riverside Park and the continuation of the Canal restoration project.

The Council voted 5-2 to commit to funding those projects, with the source of funding to be determined before they commence. Common Council member Rick Dodd and Jeff Garetson voted against an amendment to commit the city to those expenditures.

Related posts:
Library moves forward with building expansion fundraising campaign.  (11/26/2011)
Decision delayed on request for library expansion funding.  (11/2/2011)
Council member on Portage Public Library expansion project funding: "We may just not want to it".  (10/28/2011)
Board president makes pitch to council for library expansion funding.  (10/15/2011)
Board to make case for building expansion to council.  (10/13/2011)
Library board to make case to council for building expansion.  (9/15/2011)
Library moves forward with building expansion.  (8/12/2011)
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)

Portage Public Library Moves Forward with Building Expansion Fundraising Campaign

Fundraising plans discussed for library expansion. (Portage Daily Register, 11/15/2011)

Excerpt: With a critical decision by the Common Council still pending, Portage Public Library officials are moving forward with plans for a fundraising campaign to support their proposed $1.5 million library expansion project.

The group hopes to raise at least $800,000 from the public through its campaign, while the city's decision to support the project would accommodate the rest.

Library officials asked the city to pony up $400,000. The Bidwell Foundation would match half of that amount, or $200,000. The foundation also would match another $100,000 raised by the community. Both grants are contingent on the project being under construction by Dec. 31, 2012.
Without the city's involvement, the grant likely would disappear.

Related posts:
Decision delayed on request for library expansion funding.  (11/2/2011)
Council member on Portage Public Library expansion project funding: "We may just not want to it".  (10/28/2011)
Board president makes pitch to council for library expansion funding.  (10/15/2011)
Board to make case for building expansion to council.  (10/13/2011)
Library board to make case to council for building expansion.  (9/15/2011)
Library moves forward with building expansion.  (8/12/2011)
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)

Decision Delayed on Request for Portage Public Library Expansion Funding

City money for library expansion in limbo. (Portage Daily Register, 11/1/2011)

Excerpt: The budget committee delayed a decision on funding for the project in order to look deeper into the numbers associated with the expansion, including the long-term costs and whether the current building needs improvements.

The Library Board has asked that the city to provide $400,000 in financing for the project, whichwould also be funded through grants and a public fundraising campaign. In order to contribute the city would have to borrow the money.

Related posts:
Council member on Portage Public Library expansion project funding: "We may just not want to it".  (10/28/2011)
Board president makes pitch to council for library expansion funding.  (10/15/2011)
Board to make case for building expansion to council.  (10/13/2011)
Library board to make case to council for building expansion.  (9/15/2011)
Library moves forward with building expansion.  (8/12/2011)
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)