The Bloomington City Council approved the Bloomington Public Library’s 2025 tax-levy estimate on Monday. Library Director Hamilton and Library Board President Katrina Parker presented a proposal for a $6,900,000 levy — a cumulative increase of 1.94% that includes bond repayment and operations — and the council approved the estimate with one dissent from Council member Lee.

Hamilton said the library is heavily dependent on property taxes, receiving roughly 85% of its revenue from that source, and emphasized the board reduced the bond-repayment levy this year by using capital reserves. “Our proposed tax levy is $6,900,000, and it’s a cumulative increase of 1.94,” Hamilton said. Under the board’s calculation an example home assessed at $215,600 (a 7.8% assessment increase) would see about a $0.29-per-month rise.

Council member Ward moved approval and Council member Hendricks seconded the motion. The clerk announced the motion passed with one nay (Council member Lee) recorded on the roll call.

Next steps: the library levy estimate will be published per the same legal notice requirements; the council will take a final levy vote at the Dec. 15 meeting after the truth-in-taxation hearing.