Press Room

February 13, 2007

Genesee District Library Millage Renewal Vote in May

The Genesee District Library Board of Trustees approved a proposed ballot question requesting a renewal of the existing 0.7481 mills ($0.7895 per $1000 of taxable value) for a ten year period, 2007 through 2016, inclusive, at a special board meeting on February 12, 2007. The millage will generate approximately $7,211,740 when first levied in 2007. The taxable district is Genesee County except the City of Flint.

The millage election will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

The past millage expired on December 31, 2006 although the tax is collected into 2008.

Carolyn Nash, Executive Director of Genesee District Library said, "GDL has accomplished a lot in these past ten years. Circulation has almost tripled; staffing has increased 40% including a teen librarian, children's librarians, a public and staff computer trainer, an IT (information technology) Department staff, and a business librarian. We opened new libraries in Gaines and Beecher. Sunday hours were added at five branches. We have won national and state awards for service and marketing for the new Genesee Valley Location. GDL has become a leader among Michigan libraries."

This proposal includes all of the library's tax revenue. Genesee District Library is not able to operate without funding from this millage. It provides over 80% of the library's budget.

The Board of Trustees wants everyone to understand the millage and its implications. It will make available any information that is needed to clarify and explain the issue. A millage committee named Libraries, Now! made up of Genesee County citizens and chaired by Trenton Smiley, Grand Blanc Township resident, will campaign for the passing of the millage.

For more information, call Carolyn Nash, Executive Director of the Genesee District Library, 810-230-3335.