The Library will have an advisory referendum vote on the April 1, 2025 ballot. Advisory referendums are required by City of Lake Mills ordinance (Ch 38-6) for building projects in excess of $500,000. An advisory referendum is NOT binding. City Council considers the ballot results when deciding on capital planning.
Our referendum is requesting to up to $2,500,000 on construction of a library building expansion.
Latest Design
Our research and design process began in 2019. Over that time – minus a long COVID induced break – we’ve refined the design several times.
Our initial design would have doubled our square footage to meet the library’s service requirements. Right now the library is half the size per service standards and recommendations. Doubling in size would have cost $11,000,000 to $13,000,000 for design and construction and is out of budget for a city the size of Lake Mills.
Further design changes and financial assessment have resulted this current design with a budget of $4,500,000. We have started a capital campaign and have a strong start with our 100 Extraordinary Women fundraiser.
New Design, Main Level. Jan 27 update
New Design, Lower Level. Jan 27 update.
New Design, Upper Level. Jan 27 update.
Expected tax impact on residents of the City of Lake Mills
Estimated tax impact on City residents from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors.
Our project timeline anticipates bonding up to $2,500,000 for the project in either 2027 or 2028. Ehlers provided charts for both years. The tax impact only changes a little from ’27 to ’28 when financing the date in the different years.
2027 Debt Issuance
2028 Debt Issuance
Children’s Area Examples and Options
A new Children’s Area is a central focus of our expansion project. The newly constructed space will have increased square footage and modern furnishings.
Our designer/architect, FEH Design, has completed library projects across the Upper Midwest. These images are samples of completed library projects and the kind of improvements we can expect for our library.
Keep in mind, we do not expect to install every feature show below. We are limited to our budget and fundraising. These are examples of the play and reading areas we can have.
Public Information Sessions on the Referendum and Expansion Plans.
Sunday, February 16. 1PM.
The library is hosting an information meeting about the proposed advisory referendum on April 1. Come ask questions about library expansion plans. See floor plans. Discuss library services and impact.
Rear doors will be unlocked.
Thursday, February 27 at 6PM. Presentation by FEH Architects of the schematic design of the expansion. Schematic design is major step in the designing process.
Western Michigan University has a quick explanation of a schematic design.
Monday, March 31 at 6PM
FEH Design is here to discuss the plans, expound on design goals, and answer questions.
Library Open House.
Saturday, March 22. Library Open House from 10AM-11:30AM by our fireplace. Library Director says, “I’ll be there with coffee and donuts to answer questions and eat donuts. Yes, I will share the donuts.”
Monday, March 17 in Library Hall at 6PM. History of the LD Fargo Library presented by the Lake Mills Aztalan Historical Society. Learn the history of the library to better prepare for the future of the library.
The online calendar lists this as Fargo’s Namesake: History of the LD Fargo Library.