By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington property owners will pay a little more to make upgrades to the public library that some city leaders say is bursting at the seams.

Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the library’s $4.8 million dollar tax levy, up about $140,000 from the previous levy.

“For the $160,000 home value, that would be about $4 for a year, about 30 cents a month,” said library executive director Jeanne Hamilton.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Bloomington acting city manager Steve Rasmussen. 

She said the library has continuously looked for ways to cut costs and do more with less, even as the downtown facility attracts about a thousand people every day.

Staffers say the library needs at least $2 million dollars in repairs over the next five years.

Aldermen also unanimously adopted a $20 million dollar levy to run city government next year. That’s unchanged from the previous levy.

Instead of raising taxes, the city council will look at ways to cut spending to fill a budget gap that could reach $3 million.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]