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    • Seven central Ohio libraries filed for taxes, only one lost
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    Seven central Ohio libraries filed for taxes, only one lost

    Sakege Posted on

    Voters in central Ohio on Tuesday approved all but one library system seeking tax funding to help cover their operating expenses.

    With state funding declining in recent years, seven central Ohio public libraries were on the ballot seeking renewal of existing taxes, replacement taxes that would be based on current property assessments, or tax approval additional. One library requested both renewal of an existing tax and a tax increase.

    Southwest Public Libraries, which operates the Grove City Library and another library in the Westland area of ​​Franklin County, lost its bid for additional tax money. Meredith Wickham, executive director of the library system, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday on what impact, if any, the library system will have on operations.

    According to the Ohio Library Board, the continued decline in state funding for public libraries caused 203 libraries statewide will file for taxes in 2024, compared to just 48 that did not.

    Here are central Ohio libraries and the voting results on their tax requests on Tuesday’s ballot:

    Granville Public Library

    The Granville Public Library, whose taxing authority follows the boundaries of the Granville Village Exempt School District, easily won approval for a renewal levy and an increase from 0.25 mills to a total of 1.25 mills for operating expenses.

    The five-year ballot poll garnered 4,998 votes (62%) to 3,015 (38%), according to unofficial results from the Licking County Board of Elections.

    The tax is expected to generate $696,000 annually for the library and cost owners $29.79 per $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor, beginning in 2025 and first due in calendar year 2026.

    London Public Library

    Voters also handily approved the London Public Library’s request to renew an existing 1.5 mill levy over five years by 60% to 40%.

    The unofficial vote total was 4,045 “yes” votes to 2,741 “no” votes, according to unofficial results from the Madison County Board of Elections.

    The tax will generate an estimated $508,000 annually for library operating expenses and will cost owners $31 per $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor beginning in 2025, first expiring in 2026.

    Marysville Public Library

    Although the result was closer, the Marysville Public Library won voter approval of its replacement levy request of 1.5 mills for current operating expenses over five years.

    With 100% unofficial results, 9,804 voters (53%) approved the measure, while 8,772 (47%) opposed it, according to the Union County Board of Elections.

    The library, which also operates a branch in Richmond, has a service area that is the same as the Marysville Exempt School District for tax purposes. The tax is expected to generate more than $1.69 million annually for the library and will cost owners $52.50 for every $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor.

    Plain City Public Library

    The Plain City Public Library, whose service area includes part of Madison County and a small portion of Franklin County, easily won approval for a $1.5 mill renewal levy over five years.

    With 100% of precincts reporting, the funding request went from 59% to 41%, according to unofficial results from the Madison and Franklin county boards of elections. An unofficial total of 1,399 voters approved the meter, while 979 opposed it. In the Franklin County segment, six voted “yes” and six voted “no.”

    The tax will generate approximately $659,000 in annual revenue for the library. Homeowners will pay $35 per $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor, beginning in 2025 and due in 2026.

    Southwest Public Libraries

    Southwest Public Libraries’ request for an additional $.75 mill tax over 10 years was rejected by 56% to 44%, according to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

    If the measure had passed, it would have cost homeowners $26 per $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor, starting this year.

    Westerville Public Library

    Voters approved the Westerville Public Library with an additional tax of 0.75 mills over a rolling period to help cover increased operating expenses – its first tax increase request in 13 years.

    The measure passed between 54% and 46%, according to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

    Homeowners will pay $26 for every $100,000 of value assessed by the county auditor, starting this year.

    Wornstaff Memorial Public Library

    Wornstaff Memorial Public Library, which is located in the Delaware County village of Ashley but whose taxing district is the same as the Buckeye Valley School District, received strong voter approval Tuesday for a $2 replacement tax. million over five years.

    The tax, which polled between 58% and 42% in unofficial results, will cost homeowners $70 per $100,000 of assessed value by the county auditor starting in 2025, first expiring in 2026.

    Sakege
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