Supervisors, committee at impasse over CC library

Charles City’s Library Campaign Committee has been pursuing a goal of establishing a physical building in the vicinity of the county’s government offices. But with an apparent stalemate between committee members and Charles City’s Board of Supervisors, committee members are taking other steps toward their goal.

Committee vice-chairman Alton Washington presented two resolutions for supervisors’ consideration during the board’s March 6 work session. Both aim at constructing a new facility that will host both a library and the county’s Center for Local History. Charles City is the only county in Virginia that does not have its own library.

The first proposed resolution is to schedule a referendum or hold a special bond vote during an upcoming election for supervisors to borrow $2.5 million to have construction begin on the building. The second resolution is to appropriate funds to conduct a study to find alternative methods for funding.

Thus far, the committee has spent $300,000 on architectural drawings and received pledges from donors for nearly $2.5 million or almost half of the estimated $5.5 million total construction cost.

The referendum request comes from a promise and pledge of $2.5 million from Charles City’s previous board of supervisors. While District 2 Supervisor Bill Coada said during last December’s regular meeting that a resolution for the $2.5 million pledge would be made when “funds were available,” there is no documentation in supervisors’ minutes that references the aforementioned phrase specifically.

During talks between committee members and supervisors, Coada asked the committee about possible alternatives.

“Would you consider a site that didn’t house both?” he asked. “I had an idea of relocating school administration to the schools and having the area they now use for the library.”

Coada’s recommendation focused on the school’s administrative staff wanting to move closer to the schools, according to a recently passed schools’ six-year plan. Coada’s recommendation wasn’t well received by committee members.

“When we began to raise money for the library campaign, we told donors it would be based on three things,” said Julie Boyd, secretary for the library campaign. “The building would be a community center, a historical center, and a library.

“The idea of leaving the historical center behind is not ideal,” continued Boyd, saying that the proposed 16,000 square-foot facility would be run by volunteers from the library and historical center.

District 1 representative Gilbert Smith also questioned the committee about other alternatives.

“Is there any building that the county owns that the library and historical center can use? Have you looked at them?” he asked.

Washington said they have inspected a variety of buildings and have kept their options open, but director of local history Judy Ledbetter said there are more things to consider when occupying a building.

“We have had architect proposals and even when they look at these buildings, there is a lot involved in an estimate,” she said. “There are also certain standards and safety issues that apply.”

Supervisors voiced concerns over the prospect of a special election.

“If this goes to referendum, the public needs to be educated, and this also has to be paid for,” said Smith.

“It’s a cost factor doing a special election,” added District 3 Supervisor Floyd Miles Sr.

Ledbetter said more than just a special election is involved.

“I’m concerned about the amount of time,” she said adamantly. “The uncertainty of if the building will get built is causing some donors to pull out. We are dealing with urgency here.”

Coada said the possibility exists that a referendum will not go in the library committee’s favor.

“If this goes public and it fails in a vote, how can this board go against what our constituents voted for?” questioned Coada. “It would affect our citizens’ taxes.”

Coada’s question would not receive a straightforward answer during an exchange of dialogue with committee members. Those members, however, remained steadfast about their demand.

“We owe it to our children and citizens,” said Boyd.

“We’re making a plea,” added Washington. “We don’t’ want to see our students fall behind in this technological age. I would hate for anybody from this county to say that they couldn’t get anything because Charles City County does not have a library.”

“This is our last ditch effort,” Ledbetter said. “We are trying to get some direction. Our problem is we’ve got to have some sort of date for this project.”

At the conclusion of the debate, Miles addressed attendees on his position.

“I ask citizens not just from my district but when I see them to put themselves in my position,” the chairman said. “I asked them would they approve the borrowing of $2.5 million for a library. From my unofficial poll, it’s 25-75 in favor of not doing it.”

Supervisors took no action on the committee’s resolution proposals, but said they will look into the matter.