Briggs District Library Summary of Decision
The Briggs Public Library has seen a steady decline in its operating revenues over the past several years due to various factors including a reduction in state aid and penal fines, and declining property values. As a result, the Library has been very diligent in implementing a number of measures to decrease its expenditures, including the elimination of a full-time staff position, a reduction in the hours of operation (7 ½ additional closure day a year and open 4 less hours per week), and forgoing facility maintenance projects. The Library Board has reached a point where it is dipping into reserves in order to produce a balanced budget.
Throughout this time, the Library Board has sought public input regarding library usage, preferences, and priorities. In the fall of 2014, a patron satisfaction survey was conducted. While in general the results were very positive, patrons did express a desire to have increased hours, more programs for all ages, an increase in electronic resources such as more EBooks, the addition of E-magazines, and more web-based databases.
In light of the survey results and revenue challenges, the Library Board decided to pursue a strategic planning process to further examine the Library’s future course. At the initial strategic plan workshop in June (attended by twenty-three residents from four townships and the city), five objectives were agreed upon by the group. Throughout the fall, task force groups met to develop goals for the Library to work towards, along with action plans to achieve the five objectives. Again, these groups included various township and city residents.
One of five agreed upon objectives was to stabilize and increase Library funding, bringing it closer to the average revenue level of other Class 4 libraries. Briggs Library is one of 75 Class 4 libraries in the state – serving communities with a population of 12,000 to 25,999. According to most recent data, the average revenue for Class 4 libraries was $633,982 – while revenues for Briggs Public Library were only $384,129 in FY2013-2014, compared to $486,318 in FY2006-2007 prior to the economic downturn. This funding gap was evidenced by the reduced hours, services and collections available to our patrons as compared to other libraries in similar-sized communities.
Another funding challenge, though not new, relates to the Library’s funding burden not being borne equally by all participating municipalities – with varying financial commitments coming from each township and the city. The funding task force looked at a number of ways to address this concern. Researched options included a countywide library millage (as successfully pursued in Gratiot County), the formation of a traditional district library to include the seven current contracting townships and the city, and forming a district library along school district boundaries. Upon significant research and consideration, the task force recommended that the Library Board pursue a district library along school district boundaries per the District Library enabling legislation. The Library Board accepted this recommendation and took formal action to move forward.
Public Act 24 of 1989, the District Library Establishment Act, requires that for a district library to utilize school district boundaries, the respective school district board and at least one other municipality must enter into a district library agreement that provides for the formation of the district library board, funding mechanism (appropriation or millage), and distribution of assets, among other things. Also per that legislation, a District Library Agreement was diligently drafted and submitted to the City of St. Johns and the St. Johns Public Schools Board.
Both bodies passed resolutions approving the Briggs District Library Agreement at their March 14, 2016 meetings. As part of this agreement, title to the library property will transfer from the St. Johns Building Authority to the Briggs District Library in October 2016 upon retirement of bonds issued for the initial purchase of the current facility. The District Library Agreement was submitted to the State Librarian for approval. The Library received the approval letter on April 11, 2016 and officially became Briggs District Library on May 1, 2016.
The Briggs District Library is now an autonomous governmental entity which will require its own dedicated funding source. The only long-term obligation the St. Johns City Commission and St. Johns Public Schools Board will have is to formalize appointments to the Briggs District Library Board of Directors. Public Act 24 of 1989 limits the number of Board members allowed.
The District Library Agreement requires that the Board consist of three City of St. Johns residents and four St. Johns School District residents. The four individuals who have been selected from the St. Johns School District are all individuals who reside in four different townships that will be served by the new district. The Library Board’s intent is that through rotation of board members, each township will be represented on the board throughout the years.
Per the agreement, it is incumbent upon the Briggs District Library Board to place a millage request before the voters to fund the district library’s operations. Legally, all residents of the newly defined district have to pay the same minimum millage rate. In reviewing the amount of revenue various millage rates would generate, it was determined that at least .75 mills was needed to provide the level of service required by a community of this size while also helping to ensure long-term success of the library.
At the Library Board’s organizational meeting, the Board passes a resolution to submit a millage proposal to the voters in the library district on the August 2 ballot. The Board is requesting .75 mills for ten years which will generate approximately $464,000 in the first year it is levied. This will allow the Library to maintain its current level of operation, expand services to meet the needs and preferences of patrons, develop additional programs, restore and increase hours of operation, proactively maintain the current library facility, optimize current space, and set funds aside for future capital expenditure needs.
A Yes Committee has been formed to inform the voters about the upcoming millage request in August.
The Briggs District Library Board believes this transition to a district library will allow the Library to truly be a community organization more effectively serving the needs of all of its constituents.
Briggs District Library Fact Sheet
The millage question will appear on the ballot Tuesday, August 2, 2016, and is set at .75 mil (75? per $1,000 of taxable value on all property in the service area). The service area is the St. Johns Public School boundaries.
This millage will replace the previous allocations provided by the residents of the City of St. Johns (1 mil) and Bingham Twp. Residents (.5 mil) not in addition to.
The amount of money generated by .75 mil is estimated to be $464,000 for the first year of a ten year term. This amount constitutes 77% of the operating budget with the remaining 23% coming from state aid, penal fines, library fines and fees.
We are a Class IV library (one of 75 in Michigan) and following are some interesting facts:
| State Average | Briggs | ||
| Revenue | $633,982 | $385,062* | |
| Population Served | 17,400 | 19,008 | |
| Annual Hours Open | 2,945 | 2,598 | |
| Sq. Footage, per capita | 16,646 | 9,584 (includes warehouse) | |
| Personnel Expenditures | $381,820 | $203,849 | |
| Collections | 74,031 | 45,380 | |
| Visits | 93,633 | 99,044 | |
| No. of Public Computers | 26 | 12 |
*From 2008 to 2015 operating funds have decreased approximately $100,000.
Area Class IV libraries support from residents: Grand Ledge District Library 1.2 mils; Portland District Library 1 mil and .9339 mil; Ionia Community Library 1 mil; Hastings Public Library 1.6 mils; Marshall District Library 1 mil and .6930 mils (actual amounts paid are slightly less due to the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment)
What Might Briggs District Library Do With This Millage?
1. Restore and increase hours, increase collection (e-books, books, audio, DVD’s, large print books), add e-magazines, add databases. A database enables you to access information on a specialty topic such as languages, genealogy, newspapers, world country facts, etc. with your library card from home.
2. Not dip into reserves to fund operations and actually set aside money for capital maintenance such as carpeting and painting which has not been done since 1998.
3. Add more programs for adults and young adults (grades 7-12).
4. Place book drop boxes throughout the Library District.
5. Renovate and repurpose warehouse space.
6. Increase security due to book theft and vandalism both inside and outside of the library.
PA116: This is a State program for farmers to enroll their farmland for preservation with the promise to be reimbursed for all property taxes in excess of 3 ½ % of income (with the exception of drainage money). Those farmers enrolled will have some of the library taxes returned to them.
The current library building and land will transfer from the city to the District Library by the end of 2016.
There are approximately 5,694 registered voters in the City of St. Johns and 8,987 registered voters in the combined Townships.