Flint Public Library is placing two proposals on the November 5, 2019 City of Flint ballot. You will need to vote separately on each ballot proposal. You can review ballot language here.

• The first proposal is the renewal of a 2 mill operating millage that provides money to maintain the Library’s current programs and services.
• The second proposal is a 12-year, $12.6 million bond to help pay for a completely renovated library building.

Millage Renewal

The Library receives almost all of its operating budget from taxpayers in the City of Flint.  Although we are located on the Cultural Center Campus, we do not receive any money from the Arts & Cultural Enrichment millage that passed in 2018.

We currently receive 4 mills annually:

• 2 mills in perpetuity (you never have to vote on this one)
• 2 mills that are up for renewal every 10 years

The 2 mill renewal will keep our operating budget where it is now. If those dollars are not renewed, the Library will receive less tax money and will need to reduce its budget and reduce Library services accordingly.

Bond

The Library is the only building on the Cultural Center Campus that is owned entirely by the residents of Flint.  The Library building and its systems are 60 years old.  Major renovation is needed to keep the building working.  Our board has adopted a renovation plan that is more cost-effective than building a new building.  The total cost is approximately $27.6 million.

Generous donors are prepared to pay for more than half the cost of the project.  This reduces the amount we are asking taxpayers to contribute through the bond.  A $12.6 million bond with a 12-year maturity will provide the remainder of the funds needed for this project.

The entire interior of the Library will be renovated.  Significant changes include:

• Doubling our children’s learning space
• Doubling our digital learning space, including three tech-rich classrooms
• 66% more space for local history and genealogy, including a storage vault
• 6 study rooms, 9 meeting rooms and 4 classrooms
• Making an additional 16,000 sq. ft. available to the public through reconfiguration of existing space
• Making the building more accessible for people with disabilities