Ebooks, Netflix, and Library Building Projects (Part 15, Bellaire City Library)

Behind The Scenes Of The Bellaire City Library Renovation Project.   (InstantnewsBellaire.com, 4/22/2011)

Excerpt: The renovation project started in January after city council approved an agreement with Gilbane Building Company for $257,000.

The project was delayed for six weeks after unforeseen structural problems were discovered on portions of the building during the mold remediation process. Council approved $45,428 to repair the problems.

Director of Facilities Management Karl Miller said Gilbane made up time by shifting to another part of the project while the structural problems were repaired.

“Gilbane was wonderful to juggle vendors and subs,” Miller said, adding that Gilbane helped expedite the project.

Some of the new features of the library include a new circulation desk, a new conference room and new bathrooms.

Poverty and Economic Stress in Wisconsin's Adams County

Source:  Wisconsin Counties Association

(2010:  18,728)

Excerpt:   But for some, the disasters of the last 17 years have only added to the hardship. For all its beauty, Adams County is also one of the poorest counties in the state.

The median annual household income is $38,166 with 13.6 percent of its residents living below the poverty rate. That compares to $52,103 and 10.5 percent for the state as a whole, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

According to the Associated Press Economic Stress Index, which uses a formula of unemployment, bankruptcies and foreclosures to come up with a score for each county in the nation, Adams County was the most stressed county in the state in February with an index of 15.1. By comparison, Rock, Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine counties ranged from 13.4 to 13.7. Dane County was at 7.2.

"Rural poverty is very tough," said Jim Abbs, president of the Adams County chapter of Habitat for Humanity. "It's very sparsely populated and that means things are very far away. They often have to drive 30 to 40 miles to work and don't have cars that work well. The jobs are very limited."
And, according to a health risk assessment study by the UW Health Population Institute, Adams County ranks 71 out of 72 counties in overall health.

Adams County residents appears to have greatly loved and valued their library service during the past 10 years.

Adams County:  

Population & Circulation (1960-2009)

Source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Record (1960,1970,1980,1990, 2000,2009)

Kewaunee and Sheboygan Are Among the 10 Wisconsin Counties That Don't Collect a Sales Tax

And now they're thinking about joining the club.

Cuts lead officials in Kewaunee, Sheboygan counties to consider sales tax. (Green Bay Press Gazette, 4/24/2011)

Excerpt: Faced with mounting costs and potential cuts in state aid, officials in Kewaunee and Sheboygan counties are considering new countywide sales taxes.

Officials in both counties acknowledge the political risks of dipping further into taxpayers' pockets in the current climate of government austerity.

Critics of the half-cent sales tax concept in Kewaunee County already are considering recalling County Board members who support the idea.

But with county budgets being squeezed anew by Gov. Scott Walker's attempts to reduce government spending, some county officials are willing to reach for the previously untouchable option of imposing new taxes.

Mark O'Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, said he would not be surprised if more counties consider a local sales tax in response to Walker's proposed cuts in state aid, despite widespread public opposition.

"I do think counties will look at it," he said. "They might not have any choice.

The vast majority of counties in Wisconsin — 62 out of 72 — already collect a half-cent sales tax, as state law allows in addition to the 5-cent sales tax collected by the state."

Related article:
Outagamie County ponders the sales-tax option.  (7/31/2009)