Dearborn Interim Library Director Patricia Podzikowski (right) speaks during the Jan. 13 City Council meeting about the library millage renewal, which the council approved for the Aug. 4 primary election ballot.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – The City Council authorized the placement of a library millage renewal on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot during its Jan. 13 meeting.
Finance Director Michael Kennedy and Interim Library Director Patricia Podzikowski answered council members’ questions during the meeting.
Since 2011, residents have authorized 1 mill solely dedicated to offset the costs of providing library services. Annually the millage generates $4.2 million, which is 60 percent of the Dearborn Public Library operating budget.
If the budget were not renewed, the library would experience a significant reduction in facilities, materials, programming and services.
If the renewal passes, the city would levy a $1 mill per $1,000 in taxable value that would be strictly dedicated to the operational and capital costs of the library system.
Dearborn residents have renewed the millage in 2011 and 2021, and the current millage is set to expire June 30, 2027. If renewed, it would go into effect when the current millage expires.
The wording was to be submitted in mid-February to the Michigan Department of the Attorney General for ballot language approval before the election.