LIBRARY MILLAGE INFORMATION
NEW MILLAGE RATE: .30 Mills
ELECTION DATE: November 5, 2024
DURATION OF MILLAGE: 6 Years
Ballot Language:
Shall the Berrien Springs Community Library, County of Berrien, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed .30 mill ($0.30 per each $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property within the Berrien Springs Community Library district for a period of six (6) years, 2024 to 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Berrien Springs Community Library will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Berrien Springs Community Library in the first year (2024) is approximately $99,000.
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What is being asked of voters?
On November 5, 2024, the Berrien Springs Community Library will ask residents of the Library District to approve a new .30 mill, 6-year millage. The estimated revenue from the new .30 mill would raise is approximately $99,000 for the first year (2024).
Isn’t there already a library millage in place? Why is the library asking for a new millage?
Yes, a 1 mill, 10-year millage was approved by the residents of the Library District in August 2017 and will be up for renewal in 2027.
Several factors influenced the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Berrien Springs Community Library to ask residents for a new library millage: inflation, the cost of maintaining an aging building, and the continued reduction of revenue from penal fines.
Inflation: Over the last several years, as inflation increased, so too did the cost of operating the library. The cost of library materials, computer equipment, professional services, and utilities have all increased. As a result, the library’s budget is stretched thin just to cover the basic operations.
Aging Building: Our building is almost 35 years old. While preventative maintenance and standard upkeep have kept the building in good shape, the years have caused some areas of the library to show their age. Much of the carpet, some furnishings in the public areas, and most furnishings in the staff area are original to the building and in need of updating.
Penal Fines: In Michigan, a portion of the money a person is fined for “any breach of the penal laws” is distributed to libraries. Penal fines account for nearly 15% of the library’s budget and are the library’s second largest revenue generator after property taxes from the millage. This revenue stream continues to shrink due to various reasons, such as court reform, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and weigh stations not being staffed. Over the last 10 years, income from penal fines has dropped approximately 27%.
Several factors influenced the decision of the Board of Trustees of the Berrien Springs Community Library to ask residents for a new library millage: inflation, the cost of maintaining an aging building, and the continued reduction of revenue from penal fines.
Inflation: Over the last several years, as inflation increased, so too did the cost of operating the library. The cost of library materials, computer equipment, professional services, and utilities have all increased. As a result, the library’s budget is stretched thin just to cover the basic operations.
Aging Building: Our building is almost 35 years old. While preventative maintenance and standard upkeep have kept the building in good shape, the years have caused some areas of the library to show their age. Much of the carpet, some furnishings in the public areas, and most furnishings in the staff area are original to the building and in need of updating.
Penal Fines: In Michigan, a portion of the money a person is fined for “any breach of the penal laws” is distributed to libraries. Penal fines account for nearly 15% of the library’s budget and are the library’s second largest revenue generator after property taxes from the millage. This revenue stream continues to shrink due to various reasons, such as court reform, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and weigh stations not being staffed. Over the last 10 years, income from penal fines has dropped approximately 27%.
If approved, what will be the total amount of my property taxes paid to the library?
Examples:
Taxable Value of Home Current Millage Cost New Millage Cost Total
$75,000 $73.86 $22.50 $96.36
$150,000 $147.72 $45.00 $192.72
$200,000 $196.96 $60.00 $256.96
$250,000 $246.20 $75.00 $321.20
Taxable Value of Home Current Millage Cost New Millage Cost Total
$75,000 $73.86 $22.50 $96.36
$150,000 $147.72 $45.00 $192.72
$200,000 $196.96 $60.00 $256.96
$250,000 $246.20 $75.00 $321.20
What does the Berrien Springs Community Library offer to the community?
The Berrien Springs Community Library empowers people with access to infinite knowledge and education, inspires boundless creativity and imagination, and connects patrons with a wide range of resources that contribute to the life of a thriving community. We accomplish this mission by providing:
- Physical and digital materials for borrowing—In addition to books, movies, reference guides, and audio materials, this includes non-traditional items such as games, puzzles, mobile hotspots, membership passes to Fernwood Botanical Gardens, and garden seeds. Access to interlibrary loan services.
- Technology, including computers and high-speed Wi-Fi—other services include wireless printing, photocopying, and faxing.
- Programming for all ages, in-person—story hours, afterschool activities, classes, author events, book clubs, and concerts; and at-home programming—1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Craft2Go.
- A meeting space for local organizations and groups.
- Participation in community-wide events.
- A friendly and helpful staff.
What will the additional funding be used for?
- Updates to the facility, technology, and furnishings.
- Maintain and improve collection development.
- Increase the number of programs offered.
- Increase mobile hotspot lending.
- Add new services such as digital streaming.
Who do I contact if I have more questions about the millage?
Contact Library Director Kristina Knezic for more information about the proposed millage. You may call 269-471-7074 or email [email protected].