Vote YES on the Library Millage Renewal tomorrow, St. Clair County!

ST. CLAIR COUNTY VOTERS! TOMORROW DECIDES THE FATE OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM!

Yes, the entire library system (11 branches that serve tens of thousands of patrons a year) will cease to exist if this millage renewal does not go through. 

Because the library provides a free service, it relies on tax money to operate. In fact, 80% of its operating costs come from what amounts to (on average) $35 per household. For $35 a year, you can check out unlimited books, CDs, and DVDs; have access to free Internet; and take your children to countless free activities. 

The most important things to know about this millage are:

• It is a RENEWAL, which means there will be no increase in your taxes.
• The renewal is 0.7 mil at the current tax rate, which means a home assessed at $100,000 will pay $35. HOWEVER, as you know, homes in St. Clair County are being assessed WAY below their market value, so if your home is worth more than $100,00, chances are you are still not going to pay more than $35 a year.
• If the library does not receive this millage, they will also not be eligible for state or federal money, which provides an additional 10-15% of their funding. 

St. Clair County Library system is very fiscally responsible compared to other library systems, so you can rest assured that the small amount you pay in taxes goes a long way in the community.

I know a lot of people who would be devastated without the library -- thousands of daily patrons who come to check out books,  job seekers who don't have access to the Internet anywhere else, students who need computers, kids of all ages who need someplace safe to go after school, young children who thrive in the programs that offer education and socialization, and the people whose jobs depend on the library staying open. People keep talking about revitalizing Port Huron and bringing new businesses to St. Clair County. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't open a business somewhere that can't even get their act together enough to provide free library services to their citizens. 

Keep St. Clair County a nice place to live, and vote YES on the millage tomorrow. If you don't know where to vote, you can check HERE. If you want me to call text, email, or facebook message you tomorrow to remind you to vote, leave your name and info and I will be more than happy to!