New Walkersville Library in County’s Budget

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner released her first proposed budget yesterday. The proposal includes good news for Glade Valley.

Mrs. Gardner’s proposed budget includes the much delayed replacement of the Walkersville Library.  The project will take three years and $6,687,166 according to the budget. The plan would see a new library opening in Walkersville sometime in 2018.

In fiscal year 2016, Frederick County plans to spend $55,432 on architect and engineering costs. The following year, county expenditures would exceed $5,600,000 to pay for site improvements, construction, information technology, furniture, project management, and inspections. Finally, the county expects to spend over $600,000 on furniture and equipment in 2018.

Funding for the new library would come from several sources. Maryland Education Grants fund over one million dollars of the project. The county’s General Fund would provide $279,312. Impact fees collected from developers funds the lion’s share with $4,038,221. The remainder of funds will come from general obligation bonds in the amount of $1,329,000.

The Town of Walkersville donated land to Frederick County for a new library. The land transfer has already been completed. The lot is across South Glade Road across from Creamery Park. Frederick County has already spent $339,386 on architects and engineers, and $50,000 on project management.

A feasibility study was completed in fiscal year 2008. After the study was completed and the site determined suitable, a design contract was awarded. Shortly afterward, the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners withdrew the project from future budgets.

The proposed library will be a building measuring 15,250 square feet. The current library is 2,000 square feet. The design is similar to Brunswick’s Library, but has exterior and interior finishes that will be unique to Walkersville.

Since being chopped from the county’s budget, regulations and costs changed. As a result, additional design funds will be needed in fiscal year 2016 to update plans. New stormwater management regulations will impact the design. Costs have inflated 2.5% according to the proposal.

Friends of the Walkersville Library heralded the news on their Facebook page. They remind folks that more support is needed, because the budget will next go to the County Council for discussion, revision, and passage.

The County Council will hear public comments on the budget Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. in Winchester Hall. The Friends of the Walkersville Library’s Deborah Carter encourages all Glade Valley community members to attend and show support for a new library.

As these meetings take place at a very busy time of day, citizens may write a letter to the Frederick County Council at 12 East Church St., Frederick, MD 21701, or e-mail County Council members the addresses below:

• President Bud Otis, Member at Large: botis@frederickcountymd.gov
• Vice President M.C. Keegan-Ayer, District 3: mckeegan-ayer@frederickcountymd.gov
• Tony Chmelik, District 2: tchmelik@frederickcountymd.gov
• Kirby Delauter, District 5: kdelauter1@frederickcountymd.gov  – Mr. Delauter represents Glade Valley on the County Council.
• Jerry Donald, District 1: jdonald@frederickcountymd.gov
• Jessica Fitzwater, District 4: jfitzwater@frederickcountymd.gov
• Billy Shreve, Member at Large: billy@frederickcountymd.gov