Potential library grant depends on NB residents' income

by Nathan Arneal
published 11/11/09

The drive for a new library in North Bend may get a financial shot in the arm, if its residents are poor enough.

Lisa Hurley of the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District attended the Nov. 3 City Council for a briefing about a grant for the new library.

If North Bend qualifies, the library drive could receive a community development block grant worth up to $350,000.

In order to receive the funds, North Bend will have to show that at least 51 percent of its population fits into the low to moderate income levels. The low to moderate income is determined on a sliding scale. For example, a one-person household could earn no more than $31,850 to fit into the low to moderate income bracket. A four-person household would have to be under $45,500.

To determine if North Bend meets the requirements, the city will send out an income survey to a certain percentage of the city’s households. If North Bend meets the 51 percent low to moderate criteria, the grant would be awarded late next summer. The library would have to be completed within two years.

If North Bend fails to meet the 51 percent criteria, the library drive will not be eligible for the grant. When a similar survey was taken in 2005, North Bend fell short of the required 51 percent level.

In other Council business:
• City Clerk Theresa Busse reported that the monthly bill for street cleaning was $3,500. Street cleaning is billed by the hour, and a typical month in the summer costs about $1,200. Fall cleanings are more costly because fallen leaves slow the process down.
The Council noted that people deliberately raking their leaves into street gutters slow the process down and cost taxpayers more money.
• County supervisor Ken Walter attended the meeting to inform the council that the fee charged to the city by the county for law enforcement is going to be raised. He warned the council that the raise could be more than usual because the fee hadn’t been raised in the last couple of years.

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