County libraries receive funding in reverse decision

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

Wheatland County council took a re-vote on the library funding issue, and by a narrow margin – 4-3 – voted to fund libraries located within Wheatland County for 2019.
About 45 county ratepayers crammed council chambers on Tuesday to show their support of libraries in the county and to urge councillors to change their vote.
At the April 16 council meeting, councillors voted to withhold funding that was allocated to county libraries in the 2019 budget. A flurry of letters, emails and phone calls from concerned ratepayers ensued, leading to an invitation to make presentations at the May 21 council meeting.
Board members and interested individuals from libraries in Wheatland County, including Carseland, Rockyford, Gleichen and Standard, spoke at the meeting, reiterating the importance of libraries, especially in small communities such as those within the county.
As of April 16, 2019, there are 1,851 library cardholders in Wheatland County. Funding approved by the county for 2019 totals $45,765.
At the May 21 meeting, councillors Tom Ikert, Scott Klassen and Jason Wilson voted against the funding.