Millage Renewal Fact Sheet
Overview
The Wayne Public Library will ask voters to renew its current millage at the August 4, 2026 election. This is a proposal to renew the existing 10-year millage that was approved by voters in 2018 and expires in 2027. The library is requesting that this millage be renewed at its current rate for an additional 10 years. The library is not seeking to increase the millage rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the funds be used for?
The funds will be used to allow the library to continue to operate at its current level and continue to maintain the library building.
How much does this millage cost me?
The average amount that a household paid for this millage in 2025 was $48.71, or the equivalent of approximately $4 per month.
Why are you asking for this renewal now?
The current library millage will be levied for the last time in 2027. The city generally only has elections in even-numbered years. Having this proposal on the ballot in 2026 allows it to be brought to the voters before the current millage expires without incurring the expenses of a special election that would be necessary if we waited until 2027.
How is the library funded? How much of the library’s budget does this millage account for?
This millage represents approximately 45% of the library’s total operating budget. The library is funded primarily by two millages, each generating about 45% of the library’s revenue. The first millage is levied in the summer and does not have an expiration date. The second millage is levied in the winter and will expire in 2027. This is the millage that we are requesting a renewal of. The remaining 10% of the library’s budget comes from state aid, penal fines, donations, grants, and other miscellaneous sources. The library does not receive any money from the city’s general fund.
Can the funds generated from this millage be used for other purposes?
No. The funds from this millage can only be used by the library for library purposes.
What the ballot proposal says
As a renewal of the millage rate that expires in 2027, shall the City of Wayne, County of Wayne, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed .9638 mill ($0.9638 per $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property in the City for a period of ten (10) years, 2028 through 2037, inclusive, to provide funds for operating, maintaining, and equipping the Wayne Public Library and for all other library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the City will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the first year of levy (2028) is approximately $506,000.
What changes have happened at the Wayne Public Library since this millage was passed in 2018?
The library increased its operating hours by over 61%. Before the millage was passed in 2018 the library was open 5 days a week, for a total of 31 hours per week. Now the library is open 6 days a week, for a total of 50 hours per week.
The number of annual library visits increased by over 10,000 per year (from 39,520 to 49,976).
The library replaced its leaking roof and inefficient and unreliable HVAC system.
The library added digital resources such as hoopla, Kanopy, and a library app.
The number of items checked out increased by over 10,000 per year (from 35,698 to 46,882).
The library made several needed technology upgrades such as new computers, security cameras, and audio-visual equipment in meeting rooms.
The library more than tripled the number of public events it offers each year (from 45 to 137).