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Belleville Area District Library  Library Millage Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Why is the library asking for a millage? 

A.  The District Library Agreement requires the library to get an operational millage of 0.7 mil (separate from the municipal general funds) by 2012 or the district will cease to exist.

Q.  What happens to the tax money that has been going to the library?

A.  The City of Belleville and Van Buren Township will use the money to avoid more cuts in other services.   In Sumpter this millage will replace the millage voters approved in 2008.

Q.  What happens if it doesn’t pass? 

A.  Beginning in January 2011, we expect to have less revenue than we had in 2003.  This will result in staff cuts at all levels and corresponding cuts in library hours and days open and a 25 to 30% cut in the book and materials budget.  It may result in fewer public Internet stations as old machines break and cannot be replaced.  By 2013 it could mean complete closing of the library.

Q.  What will it cost me?

A.  If your home’s taxable value is $50,000 it will cost $35 a year.  If it is $100,000 it will cost $70 per year. 

Q.  How much do other communities pay for library service?

A.  Per person, the state average local operating income for libraries was $40.77 in 2009.  The average for libraries serving populations from 26,000 to 49,999 was $41.46.  Nearby communities’ library income ranged from $25.90 to $94.31 per person per year.  The 0.7 mil will provide the Belleville Area District Library with approximately $25.00 per person in 2011.  See table below:

Q.  How can I get my money’s worth from this tax?

A.  Sign out one hardcover book, average price of a book = $28.00, or three paperbacks, or two DVD movies, or download one audio book.  For those without broadband Internet access, the $25 per capita annual cost is equal to one month of access from Comcast or AT&T.  Netflix membership costs $8.99 per month.

Q.  When are we getting a new building?

A.  After we establish a stable operating budget, the library board will seek community input on a new building.

Q.  Will the library offer any additional services or open more hours if the millage is approved?

A.  Maybe.  We have been going through our savings to maintain our current services, since our budget has been cut by the contributing communities as their revenue has dropped. Costs like utilities and contracted services continue to rise.  We have put off needed equipment and maintenance needs.  Once we balance the budget, update systems, and begin to restore the fund balance (savings) we will add services as we are able.  If taxable values go up we will be able to add services.

Note:  Van Buren Taxpayers will experience a 5.558 mil reduction in their taxes as the water bond millage expired this year.  If the library 0.7 passes there will still be a 4.858 net reduction on the winter tax bill.

Ballot Language:

Library Millage Proposal

Approval of this millage will allow the District Library to levy mills to replace contributions previously made from the participating municipalities of the City of Belleville, Charter Township of Van Buren, and Township of Sumpter for library operating purposes.

            Shall taxes be imposed on taxable property in the Belleville Area District Library, County of Wayne, Michigan, in an amount not to exceed $0.70 per thousand dollars (0.7 mills) of the taxable value, for 12 years beginning in the year 2010 to the year 2021 inclusive, as new additional millage to provide funds for library operating purposes?  It is estimated that 0.7 mills would raise approximately $1,020,153 when first levied with the December 1, 2010 levy.

If you have other questions about the library millage, please e-mail us, or call 734-699-3291.
 

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