The library board continues to work on the wording of a community survey to better understand why the vote for a new library failed last year.

The board has received several drafts of potential surveys but decided Tuesday night it needs to be shorter and more focused on why residents did or did not vote to pass the library’s bond. 

Board member Mike Keltner said he wanted the survey to ask if residents voted, what the primary reason for their vote was and what factors could change their vote. 

“Well, I think we all have the consensus that, you know, what is the purpose of this? The purpose of this is to figure out what we can do to pass the bond,” treasurer Amy Jankowski said. 

The survey will not be sent to residents until after the community votes on the school district’s bond on May 16. Board members agreed the results of that vote could affect how they go about questions on their own survey. 

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, I think it all boils down to what is it going to cost an individual?” secretary Tim Pringle said. “The school is really focusing on the fact that it’s not going to raise your taxes and, for us, it would have raised everyone’s property taxes.” 

If the bond passed a year ago, Pringle said the interest rates and price per home would have been a lot lower than now.

“If it passes, the question that needs to be asked is, ‘Why was this approved’ or ‘You voted for this. What was your reasoning?” Pringle said. 

The board will meet again at 6:30 p.m. May 16. 

Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected]

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