Basehor-area residents shelved plans for a new library Tuesday by rejecting a proposed $3.79 million bond issue.

The financing plan failed, with 799 votes against the proposal and 584 votes in favor, according to unofficial election returns from the Leavenworth County clerk.

Bond proceeds would have financed the bulk of a new library, estimated to cost $3.85 million.

Taxes were an issue. As proposed, the owner of a $100,000 home would have paid an additional $89.58 a year for 10 years to pay off the bond, said Carla Kaiser, director of the Basehor Community Library.

Such costs would have decreased as new homes and businesses moved into the area, Kaiser said, and Tuesday likely won’t be the last time Basehor-area residents get a chance to cast ballots for a new library.

“Our first step will be to try to contact as many people as we can and get an understanding of why they voted no, and then you make changes according to that,” Kaiser said. “I’m sure we will bring it up again. We haven’t talked about the timing, and the changes and things like that.”

The existing library currently has 20,000 books, magazines and other materials in a 3,650-square-foot building that has served the area for nearly 20 years. The building has no meeting rooms, no tables or chairs in the adult reading section and only one restroom.

The new library would have covered 20,000 square feet in a more central location, with a building featuring a drive-through window, meeting rooms, exhibit space, several computer stations, a basement and expanded restrooms, including a family restroom near the children’s area.

Construction would have been expected to start this fall and be completed by the end of 2005.