Many of our patrons will see the Plain City Public Library Levy on their November 5th, 2024 ballots. This levy is a renewal of the existing Library Levy, not a new tax.
55% of the library’s annual funding in 2023 came from a local property tax levy. This is compared to 44% of funding which came from state funds and other regular income and miscellaneous funds which make up about 1%.
Why is this levy renewal so important?
Since 2000, regular operating expenses are up nearly 200%. Unfortunately, state funding has declined further in 2024.
Levy funds support many community services such as:
Early literacy initiatives and summer reading
Technology training for adults
Enrichment and social activities for families
Aides for educators and deliveries to students
Educational and STEAM programs for all ages
Access to millions of free books, movies, music titles, games, and much more
Losing levy funds would be catastrophic to current services
Questions answered
- This is NOT a new levy. This is a renewal for an existing 1.5mil levy that is set to expire in 2025.
- Ohio Revised Code (3375.17) currently restricts how our library may levy taxes. Since the library seeks revenue for general operations, a property tax is the only permissible type of levy.
- The library has NOT received corporate donations in lieu of property tax for abatements granted by county, township, or municipal governments.
- Books & other materials are NOT free for the library, and digital content often costs 4 times more than print material.
- Except for certain new construction, the library does NOT receive revenue from property tax bill increases due to higher property values.
- The library pays monthly bills for non-discounted utilities including electric, telecommunications, water, gas, refuse, and recycling. In some cases, the library is even charged commercial rates which can be higher than residential rates.
- The library is a stand-alone entity, serving multiple counties. We are not part of, or funded by, any county office, municipal office, public school district, or larger library system.
- The library’s 2024 facility expansion was donor funded and the library will begin operating the new space in 2025 without additional revenue due to a reallocation of resources. This levy renewal is for current and continuing operating expenses.
For more information
Go directly to the source: contact Library Director, Chris Long at 614-873-4912, ext. 123 or via email at clong@plaincitylib.org.
