Delaware County commissioners approve library levy request for May ballot after extensive briefing

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners voted to submit a proposed 15-year, 1-mill property tax levy for the Delaware County District Library to the May ballot, approving Resolution 25-34 by voice vote. Commissioners Gary Merrill and Barb Lewis voted Aye; Commissioner Benton was absent and later conveyed his opposition by message.

The levy, as presented by Brian Howard, director of the Delaware County District Library, would raise approximately $1,000,000 (described in the resolution as “an additional tax levy in excess of the $10,000,000 limitation”) to restore services reduced over the last two years. Howard told the board the levy would cost homeowners $35 per $100,000 of assessed value: “It would be $35 per 100,000.”

Howard and library staff said property taxes currently account for about 65% of the library’s income, with the remaining roughly 35% coming from the state Public Library Fund (PLF). Howard said the PLF was down in 2024 and that the library has not asked county residents for new money since 2008. He described cuts made in 2022–23 that reduced operating hours, materials and programs and said the requested levy is intended to restore those services and expand outreach.

Commissioner Gary Merrill, who said he strongly supports libraries, raised questions about the 15-year length of the levy and past financial management. Merrill described a history of fiscal issues and urged greater accountability and voter review if approved; he said the public has a right to judge how levy dollars are used. After the vote, Administrator Tracy Davies relayed a message from absent Commissioner Benton: “The justification for and use of a $10,000,000 tax increase, which almost doubles their revenues, was not well explained, so I would not support this levy based on what I know at this point.”

Howard acknowledged concerns about the 15-year term but said, given current circumstances, a 15-year ballot measure is the best path forward to stabilize services; he said levies would stagger so voters would see a renewal opportunity in about seven years if the measure passes. Howard and other staff members present — including deputy director Molly Myers Labate and fiscal officer Angie Grossenbacher — said the library has rebuilt relationships with county officials in the past two-and-a-half years and intends to be transparent and responsible if the levy passes.

The board approved Resolution 25-34 on voice vote and scheduled the proposal for placement on the May ballot. The resolution, as read into the record, invoked statutory limits for levy requests (the transcript references “RC sections 5705.03 and 5007” as read at the meeting). The commissioners did not identify a mover or seconder on the record for the motion to place the levy on the ballot.

If approved by voters in May, the levy would be in effect for 15 years, with the library stating its intent to use the funds to restore hours, programs, digital materials and outreach services that were cut in recent years.