The Webster Groves Library and the Troy, Mo., school district will have proposals on special election ballots on Feb. 3. A primary in Maplewood will select two candidates for member of the city council in the 1st Ward.

The library wants voters to approve a tax increase of 13.5 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation. The library would borrow $6.5 million through a lease-purchase-type arrangement for an expansion and renovation of its building at 301 East Lockwood Avenue and for use money from 9 cents of the increase to repay the debt, Tom Cooper, director of the library, says.

Money from the remaining 4.5 cents would raise about $160,000 a year which the library would use for operating, he said.

The library built its structure of 10,800 square feet in 1949 and never has renovated it. The project would expand the library to about 21,000 square feet. Among changes would be more space for the children’s library and spaces for computers and offices separate from reading room, Cooper said.

The district’s residential tax rate is 13.5 cents. The owner of a house worth $200,000 would pay an additional $51.30 a year to the district if the proposal passes.

The Troy School District wants voter approval of a tax increase of at least 39 cents. The proposal also asks voters to eliminate a property tax rollback that is part of the state sales tax for education.
The district would use the money from the tax increase for operations. A district statement noted that the district has constructed six new buildings in 20 years without an increase in its operating tax rate.

The district’s tax rate is $3.86. The owner of a house worth $100,000 would pay an additional $74.10 a year in taxes to the district if the tax rate increases by 39 cents.

In the 1st Ward of Maplewood, Councilwoman Dodi Brown bid for reelection faces two challengers, former Councilman Dave Clark and David J. Cerven, 7442 Lohmeyer Avenue. The primary will eliminate one of the candidates.