August 2025 MADL Millage Information
This August, the Muskegon Area District Library will be on the Muskegon County ballot with a millage ask. We want to make sure our community is adequately informed of the upcoming millage request. Below includes information on what a millage is, why Muskegon Area District Library is making this request, what changes would occur with a passing vote, and what it means to the average taxpayer. The official ballot language can also be found below.
For any questions regarding the August millage request, please call us at 231-737-6248 ext 110.
What is a Millage?
A millage is a tax approved by popular vote. The mill rate tells you how much per $1,000 of State Equalized Value (SEV) you will pay. For example, a house recently sold for $200,000 will have a SEV of around $100,000. For a millage with a rate of 1 mill, that household would pay $100 annually.
“A millage is a tax on property, levied at the local, municipal level after being approved through a popular vote on a ballot initiative. The millage is the amount per $1,000 of the taxable value of property.”
Source: milibraries.org
Why is MADL on the ballot?
Muskegon Area District Library relies on an operational millage that lasts 10 years in order to provide library services, and our current millage will end in December of 2025. This millage covers 90% of MADL's operational costs.
In the past 10 years, MADL has used the millage to renovate all of our existing branches, add a new Laketon Township Branch, add a bookmobile, create a Library of Things, grow our digital resources, and continue to offer library services and resources.
What happens if....
...the millage passes?
With this millage, Muskegon Area District Library will continue to offer the same excellent service, and will also be able to expand general library hours and popular services and resources (like Hoopla).
...the millage fails?
Because this is an operational millage, in the event of a failure to pass a millage, MADL will lose 90% of its operational budget.
What a does 10-Year millage mean to you?
A 10-year rate of 1.5143, which will cost taxpayers $151.43 annually per $100,000 assessed property value. That comes out to approximately $12/month - less than some streaming services!
The millage will generate approximately $5.9 million annually for the library.
What the Library millage will look like on the ballot
Shall the Muskegon Area District Library, County of Muskegon, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually an amount not to exceed 1.5143 mills ($1.5143 on each $1,000 of taxable value), of which 1.2143 mills is a renewal of the previously authorized millage rate that expires in 2025 and .30 mill is new additional millage, against all taxable property within the Muskegon Area 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 Muskegon Area District Library will collect in the first year of levy (2026) if the millage is approved and levied by the Library is approximately $6,300,000. A portion of the revenue collected may be subject to capture by the Muskegon County Land Bank Authority; the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority, and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of the City of Norton Shores and the Village of Ravenna.
Yes
No