Voters pass Bloomfield Township Public Library millage renewal

Voters in Bloomfield Township hit the polls Feb. 27 to decide a millage renewal for the Bloomfield Township Library, with the measure passing by over 72%, according to unofficial election results from the Oakland County Elections Division.

Bloomfield Township residents were asked to consider renewing the library’s existing millage rate — of 0.5047 mill for 10 years — which Library Director Tera Moon said would allow the library to maintain its current level of funding and help keep the library on solid financial footing.

The millage renewal ultimately passed with 9,319 yes votes to 3,538 no votes, according to unofficial election results.

The library — which serves the 44,235 residents of Bloomfield Township with resources, technology, and support for all ages — is supported by three separate millage rates, two that are levied in perpetuity and one that expires at the end of 2023.

The Feb. 27 proposal asked Bloomfield Township voters to consider renewing the 2023 expiring millage at the current rate of 0.5047 mill for 10 years. The millage, Moon said, accounts for 27% of the library’s current revenue.

The renewal will not increase current tax payments and will continue to cost the average taxpayer approximately $151 per year on a home with a taxable value of $300,000.

Taxpayers, Moon added, will see a lower tax bill from the library in 2024 as a 20-year bond payment for a 2008 building improvements project is now paid off. 

The total mills levied for the library in 2023-2024 was 1.8653. The library can legally levy up to 2 mills. There are three individual millage rates for the 2023-2024 fiscal year: 1 mill voted in perpetuity in 1982 rolled back to 0.6578; 0.7874 mill voted in perpetuity in 2003 rolled back to 0.7028, and 0.541 mill approved for 10 years in 2014 and rolled back to 0.5047. Library officials said the rates will remain the same for the 2024-2025 fiscal year as there was no Headlee rollback for 2024-2025.

The library now plans to work to achieve the goals of the 2023-2025 strategic plan, which Moon said all focus on making the library “as inclusive and excellent as possible” for residents. The funding, she explained, will allow the library to retain current service levels, hours and staffing; maintain and grow up-to-date collections of books and media; expand technology and digital resources; reimagine library spaces; continue offering a variety of library programming; and repair and maintain its building and grounds, including the roof and lower level.

For more information, call the library at (248) 642-5800 or visit http://www.btpl.org/.