KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Kent County voters will be asked to renew a millage next week that funds a network of 20 library branches and serves 27 municipalities.
If voters say "no," the Kent District Library's current millage will expire on Dec. 31, 2024, and the KDL will be forced to close its doors.
If voters approve the millage with a "yes" vote, the reduced rate millage will save taxpayers $3.1 million annually or $46.5 million over the life of the millage. That's a 10.9% lower rate over the next 15 years.
If approved, homeowners will pay $1.10 for each $1,000 of state-equalized value of their home property.
KDL leaders said the average homeowner in their service area will pay about $145.75 a year for access to library services. That's about $2.80 per week, which is less than the cost of most cups of coffee.
Despite a lower millage, KDL leaders said this doesn't translate to a reduction in services.
If approved, the millage will generate $26.6 million in its first year to cover the expense of materials (physical and digital) available for checkout, staff (wages and benefits), programs and events, library services (such as tech tutoring), technology (public computers, printers, self-check kiosks, etc.) and rent to the municipalities that own and maintain library buildings.
KDL has 346 people on staff that receive more than 4,000 hours annually. More than 500 volunteers also work in the district.
In 2014 the KDL millage was approved by more than 8,000 votes.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.
You can learn more about the millage here.
Kent District Library Millage Renewal Proposal language:
Shall the Kent District Library, Kent County, Michigan, be authorized to levy a renewal of the previously voted increase in the tax limitation which expires in 2024, in an amount not to exceed 1.1 mills ($1.10 per $1,000 of taxable value) (which is a lower rate than the previously voted millage of 1.28 mills that was approved by voters in 2014 and expires in 2024) annually against all taxable property within the Kent District Library district for a period of fifteen (15) years, 2025 through 2039, inclusive, to operate the Kent District Library and provide funds for district library purposes authorized by law?
This millage is estimated to provide revenues of $26,607,000 in the first year (2025) of the levy. To the extent required by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage (estimated to be approximately 1.1% in the first year of the levy) will be captured by or disbursed to the following local authorities: the Kent County Land Bank Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of the Cities of Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.