2025 Millage Information

The library has a millage renewal on the ballot for Buchanan District Library voters on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Here are some answers to questions you may have about the ballot proposal. If you have further questions, you can contact the Library Director, Meg Paulette, at m.paulette@buchananlibrary.org or 269.695.3681.

Keep reading below for a more in-depth overview of the ballot proposal.

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What is this proposal for?
This proposal is to seek renewal for an existing operating millage at .30 mills. That means $0.30 of each $1,000 of taxable value if the proposal is approved by voters. This is not a new millage, it is a renewal of a previously authorized millage at the same rate. 

What does this millage fund?
The revenue from this millage (estimated at $132,000 in the first year) comes directly to the library for operating costs, including staff to keep the library running, building costs like maintenance and utilities, and to purchase physical books, ebooks, and other materials in our collection for public use. 

Is any of the revenue captured for other purposes?
Right now, no. The last line of the proposal is required by law to inform voters of the possibility of capture by the City of Buchanan Brownfield Redevelopment Authority from City properties. The Library Board does cannot opt out of Brownfield captures (unlike other captures, like for Downtown Development Authorities, which are something that can be opted in or out of). There is currently no capture of library funds for this or any other purpose. The last time the City authorized a BRA capture of library revenue, it was a total amount of $1,960.73 for a one-year period.  

What is Headlee rollback?
Added to the Michigan Constitution in 1978, the “Headlee Amendments” are the common name for one of several sections that say property tax revenues can increase no more than the rate of inflation for that year.  This is referred to as “Headlee rollback.” Each year over the ten year period of the previously authorized millage, the rate was decreased to comply with the Headlee Amendments, and the same will be true of the renewal. A portion of the renewal (.0041 mill) is to restore the millage rate lost as a result of Headlee rollback over the last ten years.

Does the library really need this revenue?
Yes. The revenue from this millage is essential for the library to operate. Millage funds are the main source of revenue for our library.

Is the Buchanan District Library a part of the City of Buchanan government?
No. Our library is a district library, established in the year 2000. Our library is governed by its own seven member Board of Trustees and is financially supported directly by district residents. The library voting district covers a geographic area that includes the City of Buchanan, Buchanan Township, and parts of Bertrand and Niles Townships.

Is this proposal asking for an increase?
This millage is a renewal of a previously authorized millage at the same rate. A portion (.0041 mill) is to restore the millage rate lost due to Headlee rollback over the last ten years. Other than that, this is the same rate that voters previously approved (0.30 mill) and have already been paying.

Why is the library putting out this proposal right now?
This is a regularly scheduled renewal of the previously authorized millage that expired in 2024. Not securing renewal at this time would result in a loss of library revenue for basic operations next year.