How is TPML Funded?

Being a popular destination for water recreation loving tourists, Canyon Lake sees an increase in sales tax collections this time of year. While the majority of the funds collected go straight to the state of Texas, a small percentage does return to the community in what may seem to some a surprising way. One half of every penny collected as sales tax at Canyon Lake helps to fund Tye Preston Memorial Library thanks to the creation of the Canyon Lake Community Library District.

Texas Library Districts were first established in 1997 when the 75th Legislature passed Senate Bill 1674, which allowed the formation of library taxing districts and permitted voters to choose to dedicate a portion of their sales tax revenue to support library services. Comal County libraries couldn't participate under this legislation as it limited eligible libraries to those in counties with  populations over 100,000.

Soon after that session ended, TPML joined other libraries in lobbying for a change to the population requirement. Bruce Hurley, former TPML president and Bette Wehner president of the TPML board and other board members made countless trips and phone calls to Austin during the 1999 legislative session when the District issue was taken up.

The population requirement was removed entirely, opening to any library in Texas the opportunity to go to voters in their area to ask for approval to form a Library District.

“We were elated with the outcome and immediately began the process of  creating our own district by calling a special election,” Wehner explains.

On Jan. 15, 2000, voters approved the creation of the Canyon Lake Community Library District and elected the first Board of Trustees. Soon after the election, our district began collecting 0.500 percent sales tax on all taxable purchases within our district, which covers roughly the northern third of the county.

At the time, TPML was struggling to meet the needs of a growing community and was subsidized by the County, small grants and donations from community organizations and individuals. Making ends meet each month was a challenge. The new source of revenue provided a financial foundation.

With frugal and prudent management of the new funds, the library has been able to grow with the community, extend hours and increase services and resources while saving toward a new building that will serve the community now and the community of the future.

“The day we have been planning for since January 2000 has finally come and a new library and community building will become a reality over the next year,” Wehner says. “We have broken ground for that new building funded by library funds, community and corporate donations and a low-interest loan. The new library is being built by the community for the community in keeping with the tradition set when the library was founded 37 years ago and continuing over the years.”

Whether the taxable purchases are made by residents or visitors, every time sales tax is collected, TPML benefits and so does our community.