A library user uses the facilities in June.
Photo provided
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Voters in the Rochester Hills primary have approved a tax increase to benefit the Rochester Hills Public Library.
According to unofficial results from the Oakland County Board of Elections, the measure passed with nearly 66% of voters in favor, while about 34% voted against the increase.
Although the cost of running the library has increased over the years, the library contribution of 1 per mille has not changed since voters approved it a century ago in 1924, said library director Juliane Morian.
In Rochester Hills, the tax rate is currently 0.7353 per thousand due to the repeal of the Headlee Act. The increase in tax rates means an additional 0.39 per thousand tax for library funding for 10 years. One per thousand is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a home’s taxable value. The current annual cost for a $150,000 home is $109.50. Since the proposal passed, homeowners will pay an additional $58.50, for a total of $168 per year, according to the library’s website.
According to library officials, the millage increase will generate $1,724,195 in additional funds for the library.
The higher tax rate, Morian said, will allow the materials budget to increase to over $1 million annually, with priority given to popular materials and e-books, Sunday hours will be implemented year-round, programming will be expanded, renovations to the building will begin – possibly with a new cafe – the building will be made more accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the roof will be replaced, heating and cooling systems will be upgraded, and new mobile libraries will be launched for the 110-square-mile service area.
The library serves residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Rochester and Oakland Township have contracted services with the library and have annual agreements based on the tax rate for Rochester Hills residents. Since voters in Rochester Hills approved the tax increase, a request will be made to those municipalities, according to library staff.
For more information, visit www.rhpl.com.
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