Court: Kentucky libraries can raise taxes without voter OK

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled that Kentucky libraries can raise taxes by 4 percent each year without asking taxpayers for permission.

A state judge ruled in 2013 that more than 30 years’ worth of tax increases by local libraries was illegal because they were not approved by voters in a referendum. The decision would have stripped 60 percent of the operating budgets of 99 public library systems across the state.

But the Court of Appeals reversed that decision on Friday, ruling a state law passed in 1978 exempts library officials from seeking voters’ approval before raising taxes up to 4 percent. The court also relied on common sense, arguing that the state’s public libraries followed the law for 30 years and reversing course would adversely affect them.

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