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4 of 5 PWPL millages OK’d

Andrea Ingmire, director, Peter White Public Library

MARQUETTE — The townships of Chocolay, Sands, Powell and Marquette, as well as the city of Marquette, voted on millages for the Peter White Public Library Tuesday, with the proposals passing in each municipality except for Powell Township, according to unofficial election results from the Marquette County Clerk’s Office.

Library Director Andrea Ingmire noted her gratitude for the passage of the millages in a statement issued this morning, saying that she is thankful officials can “move forward in planning for a stable library future.”

“As a result of this election, we breathe a deep sigh of relief!” she wrote. “The library is now in a position to absorb the known financial obstacles coming. Additionally, services will remain steady as we begin planning for the next phase.”

Marquette Township residents voted to renew the current millage rate of 0.9061 mill for library services, which passed with 1,568 of votes, or 72.13 percent in favor. This will maintain current library services for Marquette Township residents and will account for around $68 a year in taxes for homeowners whose home is valued at $150,000, according to PWPL.

In Powell Township, a proposed 1 mill for new library services failed with 199 votes, or 41.63 percent voting in favor of the millage. If passed, it would have made Powell Township residents eligible for library services and increased annual taxes by around $75 a year for homeowners whose home is valued at $150,000, according to PWPL.

Headlee override requests, which asked voters to approve raising the library’s millage amount to it’s original contracted rate after it had been rolled back due to property value growth, were passed in townships of Chocolay and Sands, as well as the city of Marquette.

In Chocolay Township, the request for the override passed with 2,106 of votes, or 68.62 percent in favor of the millage. The Headlee override will increase the adjusted millage from .7284 mill to the contracted millage rate of 1 mill. This will increase annual taxes by around $20 a year for homeowners whose home is valued at $150,000, according to PWPL.

In Sands Township, the request for an override passed with 779 votes, or 67.8 percent supporting the millage. The Headlee override will increase the millage from .8288 mill to the contracted millage rate of 1 mill. This will increase annual taxes by around $12 a year for homeowners whose home is valued at $150,000, according to PWPL.

In the city of Marquette, the override request passed with 6,313 votes, or 78.43 percent in favor of the millage. The move will increase the adjusted millage from 1.3685 mills to the contracted millage rate of 1.5 mills. This will increase annual taxes by around $10 a year for homeowners whose home is valued at $150,000, according to PWPL.

Ingmire said they hear the public’s requests for the return of Sunday hours at the library and that while the Headlee override increases “aren’t enough to bring in additional hours right away, it is the crucial first step in this process.” The library board will be discussing election results at the regular board meeting, which takes place at 5 p.m. Nov. 20 in the library’s Shiras Room.

The election results remain unofficial until the Marquette County Board of Canvassers meets at 1 p.m. today, according to Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma.

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