Library Levy 2025
General Information
The Troy-Miami County Public Library is hoping voters will help bridge a state funding gap and will seek a five-year, 1-mill, tax levy on the May 2025 ballot. This is the library’s first request for a tax increase in 12 years.
“This levy will allow us to restore our Sunday hours and continue to provide quality programs and services for our patrons,” said Rachelle Via, library director. “Additionally, we will be able to afford some of the larger capital projects we have coming up in the next few years.”
The requested 1-mill, five-year new additional levy amounts to $35 annually for each $100,000 of the County Auditor’s appraised value--or $2.92/month. It will provide the library with $1,696,237/year in funding and allow library staff to continue providing quality materials, excellent service, and innovative programs designed to meet patron expectations.
FACTS about Ohio Public Library Funding
- Ohio public libraries receive the same amount of state funding as they did 25 years ago.
- Libraries do not receive County Sales Tax, City Income Tax, Casino Revenue, Funding for Facilities from Capitol Budget, or ARPA Funds.
- Ohio public libraries received $26.8 million less in 2024 compared to 2023.
FACTS about Troy-Miami County Public Library
- A library card costs you $0.The library offers access to hundreds of thousands of books, DVDs, streaming content, and much more.
- Library TMCPL has 24,382 library cardholders!
- Library locations provided over 1,100 FREE programs in 2024.
- More than 31,000 children and teens attended programs in 2024.
- TMCPL Maker Lab equipment was used over 3,000 times in 2024.
- Our Oakes-Beitman Branch in Pleasant Hill had over 31,000 visitors in 2024.
- In 2024, the TMCPL Bookmobile was on the road for over 550 hours and visited 803 stops.
- Local History staff assisted over 4,100 researchers in 2024.
- TMCPL provided passport services for 409 community members.
- Our four locations had more than 168,000 visitors in 2024.
- Through SearchOhio, Patrons can check out items in libraries across the state.
- We received 65,357 items last year and sent out 71,850 items.The library owns over 110,000 items for circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the library currently funded?
Property taxes are the library's main source of revenue. In 2013, the residents of the Troy-Miami County Public Library Service area passed a .6 mill continuing property tax levy. For tax year 2023, the effective rate of this levy for residential properties is.4 mills, which means it costs the owner of a $100,000 home is $14.44/year. The library is also funded by the State of Ohio’s Public Library Fund, which is currently funded at the same level as the year 2000.
How much will the additional levy cost?
The proposed 1-Mill, five-year tax levy would cost residents $35 annually per $100,000 home.
How much does the current levy cost?
The library has a .6 mill continuing levy, passed in November 2013. As of the 2023 tax year, the effective rate of this levy for residential properties is .4 mills, which means it currently costs the owner of a $100,000 home $14.44/year.
Why does the library need additional income?
State funding for 2024 is less than it was in the year 2000 and state funding for libraries in 2025 is projected to continue to decrease. The library has been making cuts in hours and services and is still spending its reserves. It’s a trend that can’t continue in the long term.
When was the last time the library asked for funding?
In 2008, the governor cut our funding by 30 % mid-year as part of the biennial budget process. We haven’t had a tax increase since 2009, the year we first placed a levy on the ballot. When the levy was voted on in 2013, it was to continue the same effective rate as 2009.
What will the library do with the funds should the levy pass?
Operating levy revenue can be used for daily operations and maintenance of the library such as:
- buying materials available for borrowing
- paying staff
- continuing the outstanding programs provided to the community
- maintenance and operation of library buildings and vehicles
- paying for technology to run our systems
Funds will also allow us to focus on much needed projects such as:
- New roof at Troy in 2029. The current cost is about $80,000.
- Replacement of the original windows in Troy: $120,000
- Flooring at both Troy and Pleasant Hill libraries, which is over a decade old: $250,000
- New bookmobile. Our current vehicle is 7 years old. Life expectancy is 7-10 years: $327,000. We have $165,000 saved.
Who is eligible to vote for this levy?
Registered voters within the Troy-Miami County Public Library Service Area. This includes the school districts of Troy, Miami-East, Newton, and Bethel Township.
How will this levy be worded on my ballot?
The ballot language will read as follows:
An additional tax for the benefit of Troy-Miami County Public Library for the purpose of current expenses that the county auditor estimates will collect $1,696,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026.
How do I vote?
Early in-person voting begins April 8, 2025 at the Miami County Board of Elections and Election Day is Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Learn more here: Levy Related Information.
Where can I go for more information?
Rachelle Via, Library Executive Director, would gladly answer any questions you might have. You can contact her by email at rvia@tmcpl.org or by phone at (937)573-2544 ext.116.