Library Services Millage Information

Library Services in Port Sheldon and how they are funded

Port Sheldon Township is NOT in the Herrick Library District Millage/Boundary.
Thereby, Port Sheldon Residents in the West Ottawa School District receive library services via contract with Herrick Library.
Herrick Library Contract fee is CALCULATED on .3 mils of our Taxable values in the West Ottawa School District portion of Port Sheldon Township
Port Sheldon Township currently collects a .0997 mil levy for “Library Services” across the entire township (Expires for 2024 tax collection cycle)
- Township Millages can only be levied on the entirety of the township
For many years the .0997 mil levy was adequate to cover the contract invoice, however as more development occurred, taxable value increased, and the invoiced amount now exceeds the amount collected for library services.

What is being proposed

For consideration of the voters, the township is proposing a new .15 millage for library services, to replace the expiring .0997 millage (effectively a .05 mil increase or 5.03 cent increase per thousand dollars of taxable value)

What happens if we DO NOT pass a new millage?

There would be no revenue stream for Library services in the West Ottawa School District, and would require termination of the contract with Herrick Library.
Herrick Library services for residents in the West Ottawa school district would no longer be available.
- A membership could be purchased individually, but would only allow for in person check-out of materials, and online resources would not be available (per Herrick policy).

Are there other options?

Why couldn’t Port Sheldon be included in the Herrick District boundary?
- If this was possible, and the township was included in the District boundary, the millage rate would be levied by Herrick District Library at a rate of 1.4 Mils on those residents in the West Ottawa school district. (For example, $200,000 taxable value would pay $280 at 1.4 mils, as opposed to .15 mils which would be $30)
Could the Township fund Herrick Library services without the millage?
- Herrick Library Contract invoice amount is almost 20% of the entire township operating revenue collected, which would impact funding for other services provided by the township (Public Safety, Trash, Parks and Recreational upkeep, etc.)