Rochester Hills voters approve library tax increase

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Primary election voters in Rochester Hills have approved a millage hike to support the Rochester Hills Public Library.

The measure passed with nearly 66% of voters supporting the move, while approximately 34% voted against the increase, according to unofficial results from the Oakland County Elections Division.

“We see a vote of two-thirds of the community as a strong mandate to take the Rochester Hills Public Library to the next level and fulfill its full potential,” Library Director Juliane Morian said. “That means providing adequate space for storytime for as many families as want to experience it as possible, that means more technology for students who use our study rooms, and that means modern furniture and amenities to make the library your third space in your daily life.”

Although the costs to run the library have risen over the years, Morian explained, the library’s rate of 1 mill had not changed since voters approved it a century ago, in 1924.

In Rochester Hills, the 1 mill is currently levied at 0.7353 mills due to the Headlee rollback. The millage increase adds an additional levy of 0.39 mills for library funding for 10 years. One mill is $1 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value. The current annual cost for a $150,000 home is $109.50. Because the proposal passed, homeowners will pay an additional $58.50, for a total of $168 annually, according to the library’s website.

The millage increase will generate an additional $1,724,195 in funding for the library, according to library officials.

“We are so pleased that the residents of Rochester Hills recognize the value of libraries — not just the books inside of it, but the interconnected value of lifelong learning, librarians as guides, our makerspace and innovative equipment we circulate, the space we offer and the programming that expands horizons,” Morian stated.

The higher tax rate, Morian said, will allow the materials budget to expand to over $1 million annually, with priority given to popular materials and e-books. Sunday hours will be added year-round, program offerings will increase, building renovations will begin  — with a possible new café — the building will obtain greater Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, the roof will be replaced, the heating and cooling systems will be modernized, and new bookmobiles will be put into service for the 70-square-mile service area.

“Not only will the new millage provide necessary funds for critical infrastructure improvements, it expands our open hours, it extends our outreach capabilities with new modern vehicles, it grows our e-book and audio collections, and allows us to add a full-time digital services librarian who could help patrons with one-on-one technology needs,” Morian added.

The library serves residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Rochester and Oakland Township contract with the library for service and have annual contracts based on the millage rate for Rochester Hills residents. Because voters in Rochester Hills approved the millage hike, library staff said a proportionate request will be made to these communities, which were expected to make a decision after press time.

For more information, visit www.rhpl.com.