Election FAQs
- Why is the Library on the ballot on August 4?
- One of the Library’s two operating millages expired in December of 2025. The proposal on the August 4, 2026 ballot is to renew that millage with a slight increase. Last year this millage rate was .2352 mills. This year the Library is requesting .3000 mills.
- The total operating millage will go from .4284 in 2025 to .4888 in 2026, an increase of .0604 mills.
- These funds will cover operating expenses such as staff salaries, the purchase of materials, programming costs, supplies, utilities and building maintenance.
- How will the new millage rate affect my taxes?
- If your home is valued at $300,000, you will see a maximum increase of $9.06.
- If your home is valued at $600,000, you will see an increase of $18.12.
- If your home is valued at $1,000,000, you will see an increase of $30.20.
- The amount paid in taxes to support the Library depends on the value of your property. For example:
- How long will the new rate be in effect?
- The requested millage is for a period of 10 years.
- How will the new millage rate affect my taxes this year?
- If your home is valued at $300,000, your taxes will increase $5.31 in 2026.
- If your home is valued at $600,000, your taxes will increase $10.62 in 2026.
- If your home is valued at $1,000,000, your taxes will increase $17.70 in 2026.
- The Library is levying less than the approved maximum millage rate in 2026, so taxes will be significantly less.
o The Library currently has zero employees taking advantage of their full health insurance benefits, which is why we are able to levy less than the maximum rate in 2026. This may change in the future.
- What happens if this renewal is not approved by voters?
- The Library’s total operating income will be reduced by approximately $332,000. This represents about 53% of the total operating income.
- What is the exact language I will see on my ballot?
- Shall the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, County of Allegan, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed .30 mill ($.30 per each $1,000 of taxable value), of which .2352 mill is a renewal of the previously authorized millage rate that expired in 2025 and .0648 mill is new additional millage, against all taxable property within the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library district for a period of ten (10) years, 2026 through 2035, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library will collect in the first year of levy (2026) if the millage is approved and levied by the Library is approximately $332,000.
Tax Impact (Click image to view PDF)
Year in Review 2024-2025 (Click image to view PDF)