Curious about the ballot language? Read this!

Hey all you CADL supporters!  There have been some questions about the language on the ballot for the millage.  If you want to understand better, check out these words from CADL Director Lance Werner, borrowed from an LSJ comment section.

Read this, and spread the word to everyone you know if they seem confused about the language and what tax capture is.  If you still have questions, e-mail us at info@supportcadl.org, and we’ll answer them!

From Flickr User: Library of Congress

“All property taxes in Michigan are impacted by tax capturing authorities, commonly referred to as TIFAs (Tax Increment Financing Acts). These authorities include but aren’t limited to: Downtown Development Authorities, Michigan Promise Zone Authorities and Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities. Each authority collects a small portion of any millage, or property tax that is levied irrespective of the wants and desires of the municipality or governmental unit that is levying the millage and irrespective of the original purpose for which the millage was levied. The millage funds that are captured are used by the authority for purposes the authority was created for. In other words the funds go back to the communities where the authorities have been established.

In some cases it is possible to opt out of capture (new authorities) and in some cases it is not possible (Brownfields or when there is a pre-existing authority). Our policy is to opt-out of TIFAs when we can.

Unfortunately taxing authorities, such as the Capital Area District Library, cannot legally do anything about TIFAs that we are or were unable to opt out of. We are required by law to surrender a small percentage of the property taxes we receive to TIFAs and are also legally required to note this in ballot language. Any taxing authority that fails to list capturing TIFAs in its ballot language is in violation of Michigan law. There is no ploy and CADL has followed the law. Almost all of the millage money goes to support CADL, a very small percentage goes to TIFAs and no taxing authority has the legal authority to arbitrarily withdraw.

For anyone who has questions or would like to express an opinion about TIFAs, we suggest you read more about the state laws under which they are established at the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov or consider contacting your state representative.

It is also true that the Capital Area District Library receives almost all of the millage funding and that 90% of its income comes from its millage which will generate approximately $600,000 less than it did in 2006 when it was first approved. CADL has made adjustments and will continue to make adjustments to deal with this decline in revenue. We know that people are tightening their belts and we are too. CADL is busier than ever (circulation is up 9.1% in 2009 and 181% since 2000; people used CADL’s Internet terminals for over 284,000 hours in 2009) and people from all walks of life use CADL’s resources. If the millage fails to pass CADL will close all of its 13 branches and bookmobile January 3, 2011 and Ingham County will be without library services, except East Lansing.

-Lance Werner, Capital Area District Library Director”

Michigan is struggling.  Lansing is struggling.  We’re all struggling.  Because of this fact, many people will say that we’re all over taxed and public institutions need to live within their means just like citizens.  These people will be vocal opponents to any millage.  They’ll also say that the more taxes there are the less money an economy has to thrive.  While this may be true in many circumstances, there is at least one exception.   Public Libraries.

Publicly funded libraries are one of the few public institutions that citizens can directly see how much value they get from their contribution to a public institution. In fact, the more citizens use their library, the more value they get from their library tax dollars.    You will probably save more money than you will have to pay to fund the library.  So go ahead, Vote Yes for the CADL millage renewal (they’re not even asking for more money) on August 3rd and get value from your tax dollars.  To see how much value you’re getting, check out CADL’s Library Use Value Calculator.

If you regularly follow our blog, you must know by now how valuable libraries are to their communities. You also understand that the Capital Area District Library has a question on the August 3 ballot asking people in the CADL service area (the vast majority of Ingham County) to renew their existing millage. In all honesty, they’re not asking for a lot – just a straight renewal of their 1.56 mills.*

Ok, back to my point. If this election fails – if the CADL millage does not pass – ALL OF THEIR LIBRARIES WILL REALLY CLOSE.

*Take a look at the Library Use Value Calculator to see just how much you’re paying and how much you’re saving using the library.

It is without question that CADL is devoted to enhancing our community.  This is immediately obvious when one reads the library’s mission, which states, “Committed to the values of a democratic society, the Capital Area District Library shall provide access to ideas and information that support continuous learning and enhance the quality of life.”  CADL uses its thirteen branches, bookmobile, services to home bound patrons, and online presence to promote a higher standard of living in our local community by providing free access to information to all of its patrons.  Additionally, the library continues to grow in relevance, with dramatic increases in all areas of usage.

In 2009, CADL checked out 2,729,000 items.  This is a 41% increase from the 1,930,300 items checked out just four years earlier in 2005.  These items include everything from children’s books to test taking materials to popular DVDs.    CADL also provides access to ideas via technology, and recognizes the need for free access to computers to bridge the technology divide.  CADL has met this need by increasing the number of public usage computers by 83% in the past decade.  In 2009 alone, 284,000 hours were used on the public computers, and 30,730 hours of free WiFi were accessed within the library system. (Source: http://cadl.org/news/adding-value)

These statistics are impressive, and alone prove the vital nature of the library to its service population.  The most convincing statistic of all is this: 1,551, 300 visits were made to Capital Area District Library branches last year.  This is up 69% from the year 2000, shortly after the library district was formed.  These over 1.5 million visits were made to check out materials, use public access computers, attend library programs, and to ask library staff for assistance finding information.  Without CADL, Ingham County would have far less opportunities to educate itself on any available topic of knowledge.  Support CADL, and support a public institution which provides an invaluable service to your community. Vote to renew the Capital Area District Library’s millage August 3.

With the August 3rd vote for CADL’s operational millage fast approaching, the time has come to start spreading the word about the vote.  What can you do to help? Talk to everyone you know about the value the library has to you.  If you bring your children to storytimes, use the library to feed your book habit, or use the computers to access information, make sure to tell a friend.  Positive word of mouth is one of the best ways you can help support the Capital Area District Library, and make sure they continue to provide invaluable services in the future!  Check out the CADLwebsite for more specific information about the millage renewal.

Got a story to share? Tell CADL Your Story!

Visit www.cadl.org/stories to share your favorite memory of the library. Or just tell CADL what you like about the library. Unsure where to begin? Check out CADL’s Library Value Calculator at www.cadl.org/calculator.