IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County Library will levy its full millage amount of 0.8988 mills in 2024, the final year of a levy county voters approved in August 2018.

The county board unanimously approved the library’s request Monday for its maximum levy after hearing from William Cummings, library board chairman, and Megan Buck, library director.

Buck said the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted many programs and hindered services, but activities at the main library and branches in Norway and Felch Township are on the rise.

“Our numbers are creeping back up and in some cases exceeding what they were in 2019,” she told the board.

Cummings emphasized the importance of public libraries to an informed citizenry, and pointed out the library has never sought millage support beyond a voter-approved levy that hasn’t risen this century.

Voters in 2018 authorized the library’s request for a levy of 0.9 mills, or 90 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, through 2024. The vote was 3,165 yes to 1,815 no. The current levy is a fraction lower, due to Michigan’s Headlee rollback that prevents property tax revenues from increasing more than the rate of inflation.

The library has sometimes levied less than its full rate, most recently dropping to 0.85 mills for the 2019 budget year.

Commissioner Ann Martin, who serves as a liaison to the library, reported Monday that two book challenges were recently denied, with both titles retained. In question were the children’s picture books “The Best Bed for Me” and “Pink, Blue and You!”

Buck noted one of the books was moved from children’s fiction to non-fiction.

In other action, the county board:

≤ Reappointed Mary Stolze to a three-year term on the Veterans Services Board and appointed Bridget Schoeppey to a three-year term. Dr. John Phillip Shealey was also an applicant.

≤ Reappointed Katy Driscoll to a three-year term on the Department of Human Services Board.

≤ Named Marietta Negro, representing Democrats, and Carlene Kavelaris, representing Republicans, to four-year terms on the Board of Canvassers.

≤ Received a report from Treasurer Lorna Carey on property foreclosure sales conducted in 2021. There were foreclosures on 16 parcels, 11 of which were sold at public auctions generating $86,160 in proceeds. Four other parcels were purchased by the Dickinson County Land Bank. Another property, the former Oliva’s Market on Vulcan Street in Iron Mountain, was demolished in 2022 under direction of the land bank and with the aid of federal American Rescue Plan funds appropriated by the county.

≤ Observed a moment of silence for longtime Marquette County civil servant Gerry Corkin, who died Thursday at age 82. Corkin had chaired the Marquette County Board for more than 30 years.