269-423-4771 | EMAIL US | HOURS

Van Buren District Library Proposes a millage renewal on November 4 ballot.

On November 4, 2025, residents of the Van Buren District Library service area will vote on a millage renewal.

Read VBDL’s Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more about the proposed millage renewal.

Go to www.michigan.gov/vote to locate your polling place or register to vote.

FAQ

What are the voters being asked?

On November 4, 2025, residents of the Van Buren District Library (VBDL) service area will be asked to approve the renewal of a .1984 mill, 10-year supplemental millage first passed in 2015. This is not a new additional tax, but a renewal of the previously levied millage, which would continue library funding at the current rate.

Why is the library asking for a millage renewal?

The 2015 supplemental millage allowed VBDL to open all seven locations six days per week and significantly expand community programming. Renewing this millage ensures VBDL can maintain these hours and services, including:
– 2,067 events, classes, and programs offered in 2024 (up from 647 in 2014)
– A growing collection of eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming content (over 15% of VBDL’s circulation or items that it loaned in 2024)
– 420 mobile Internet hotspots (expanded from 210 in 2022)
– New initiatives like Transparent Language, free legal assistance via Michigan Legal Help, and the library’s latest service, Media by Mail, which provides free delivery of library materials to those who are homebound due to infirmity or age.

What will the proposed millage renewal cost the average homeowner?

Renewing the .1984 mill tax will cost approximately $14 per year for a home with a true cash value of $220,703 and a taxable value $69,215, the average true cash and taxable values for homes in VBDL’s service area according to 2025 Van Buren County Equalization Report

How are public libraries in Michigan funded?

Who does the Van Buren District Library serve?

The Van Buren District Library serves all or part of 16 communities in Van Buren County: Antwerp Twp., Arlington Twp., the City of Bangor, Bangor Township, Bloomingdale Twp., Columbia Twp., Covert Twp., Decatur Twp., the City of Gobles, Hamilton Twp., Lawrence Twp., Pine Grove Twp., Porter Twp., part of Almena Twp., part of Paw Paw Twp., and part of Waverly Twp.

VBDL serves these communities from seven library locations:

Antwerp Sunshine Library in Mattawan, Bangor Branch Library, Bloomingdale Branch Library, Covert Branch Library, Webster Memorial Library in Decatur, Gobles Branch Library, and Lawrence Library.

Click here for a map of VBDL’s service area

What is the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority?

In Michigan, Brownfields are blighted or environmentally challenged sites targeted for cleanup and redevelopment. Through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a portion of VBDL’s tax revenue is redirected to help fund cleanup projects—such as the former Hometown Pharmacy in Gobles, which receives approximately $4.71 total from this millage. Under Michigan law, the library may not opt out from this redirection of its property tax revenue.

Why are portions of VBDL tax revenue shared with Lawton and Hartford Public Libraries?

Agreements made at the Library District’s formation in 1990 allocate:
– 75% of property taxes from Porter Township to Lawton Public Library
– 10% of property taxes from Bangor Township to Hartford Public Library
These arrangements ensured continued service access and equitable funding for Lawton and Hartford Public Libraries when the Van Buren District Library was established.

What would happen if this millage is not renewed?

What is the exact language on the ballot?

Shall the Van Buren District Library, County of Van Buren, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed .1984 mill ($0.1984 per $1,000 of taxable value), which is a renewal of the millage rate that was last levied in 2024, against all taxable property within the Van Buren District Library district for a period of ten (10) years, 2025 through 2034, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Van Buren District Library will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Van Buren District Library in the first year (2025) is approximately $484,000. To the extent required by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured within the district and disbursed to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of Van Buren County. Pursuant to Funding and Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements, 75% of the millage revenues received from Porter Township will be disbursed to the Village of Lawton Public Library and 10% of the millage revenues received from Bangor Township will be disbursed to the Hartford Public Library.

Yes

No

What is a millage?

Who do I contact if I have more questions about the millage?

Van Buren District Library Mission Statement

VBDL provides equitable access to a world of resources, reading, and lifelong learning.