How are library tax rates determined?

The Lawrence County Public Library was established under KRS 173.470 and in accordance with statute is a taxing district. Each year the Lawrence County Public Library Board of Trustees receives proposed tax rates for the library district from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Theses rates are computed from the certified property assessment figures by the Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR) in accordance with KRS 133.180. Information on how these tax rates are computed may be found in KRS 132.010. Two sets of rates are calculated for the library district: a compensating rate and a 4% increase.

The library board may adopt real or personal rates which differ from either the compensating or 4% rates provided by KDLA. KDLA can calculate alternative rates upon email request from the library.

If the library board adopts a tax rate that exceeds the compensating rate, the library board must follow the procedure in KRS 65A.110 for submitting the proposed rate to the establishing entity and following the procedure in KRS 132.023 for holding a public hearing.

The motor vehicle tax rates are not dependent upon compensating or 4% limitations set forth in House Bill 44 or House Bill 19. Instead, all local taxing districts that propose to tax motor vehicles can levy a tax that does “not exceed the rate that could have been levied on motor vehicles by the district on January 1, 1983 assessments of motor vehicles.” Thus, a local district may only levy a rate up to the maximum available 1983 tax rate for motor vehicles.

Following are the tax rates adopted by the Lawrence County Board of Trustees from 2014 to current. Tax rates prior to these years available upon request: lcplky.org@gmail.com.

**In adopting tax rates for 2023-2024, the Lawrence County Public Library Board of Trustees lowered the library tax rate below the compensating rate for the seventh consecutive year.