The Central Arkansas Library board decided today to file a friendly lawsuit to remove a cloud over 2008 collections of millage increases voters approved for library improvements last November December.
A lawyer who studied the issue for the Democrat-Gazette has questioned whether the library can collect money in 2008 on an increase approved after November 2007. He said the library must wait until 2009. Other lawyers have said they think 2008 collections are permissible. Library Director Bobby Roberts characterized it as an issue of voters versus taxpayers — though voters approved the raise for 2008, the law may say that taxpayers are entitled to keep their money until 2009. Property tax collections are already underway and the increased millage will produce about $4.2 million per year. More on the jump on fallout.