District Library Board approves ballot language for Nov. 8 election

The ballot language for the Belleville Area District Library proposal in the Nov. 8 election will ask for permission to bond for up to $14 million to build a new library, which will cost taxpayers a simple average of 0.68 mill in property tax for each of 21 years to retire. A second proposal will ask for an additional .75 mill for 20 years for operation of the new facility.
Taxpayers already pay 0.7 mill for operation of the present library and that tax remains.
The unanimous, roll-call vote on the ballot language was taken at the July 12 meeting of the Belleville Area District Library Board. Treasurer Tonya Stoudemire was the only member absent.
The total new millage, if approved by voters, would add $1.43 in taxes per year on each $1,000 of taxable valuation. This is in addition to the present $0.70 tax per $1,000 taxable valuation for a total tax of $2.13 per $1,000 taxable valuation for the library.
For a house valued at $100,000, with $50,000 taxable value, the total library tax per year would be $106.50.
The new operating millage of .75 is expected to generate $1,051,307 in 2017 of which the library will receive $947,859 and the following will capture a portion of the revenues: Belleville Downtown Development Authority ($18,398), Van Buren Township DDA ($56,350), and VBT Local Development Financing Authority ($28,701).
The bond is to construct, furnish, and equip a new building for library purposes; for constructing renovations to, furnishing and refurnishing and equipping and re-equipping an existing building for library purposes (in Sumpter Township); and to acquire, develop, and improve sites for library buildings.
The expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.
The ballot language is due to the Wayne County Clerk by Aug. 16 and District Library Board president Sharon Peters said the board didn’t want to get backed up on time, so had it on the agenda at the July meeting.
In other business at the July 12 meeting, the board:
• Heard Van Buren Township Trustee Phil Hart give a brief speech about why he should be elected VBT Supervisor, a position he said he has had his eye on for four years. He said he has the leadership qualities necessary for the position. He also said, “I am a supporter of the library”;
• Viewed a presentation by architect Dan Whisler on drawings of the proposed new library that can be used for marketing of the ballot proposals. Part of the presentation was a “flyaround” drawing of the proposed library that can be linked to on the library website and used in presentations. Whisler said he is purposely not showing landscaping now because it takes away from the looks of the building. He said the building will not be exactly as the drawings show because, “Every building evolves from conceptual design to ribbon cutting”;
• Heard Marketing Committee chairwoman Mary Jane Dawson invite the public to the next committee meeting at 11 a.m., July 29, at the library. The board discussed ideas for marketing the ballot proposal, including an ice cream social tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m., Aug. 24, at the library; and
• Was informed technology student assistant Taylor Clement, 17, is now on the library staff and he is being trained by Bradly Marshall who has been at the library three years and is transferring to Michigan State University this fall. The two were video recording the meeting as a pilot project with plans to link it to YouTube.