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Ferndale library seeks voter approval in August for operating and capital millages
Summary
Ferndale Area District Library directors presented a two-question millage proposal to the city council: a 3.31‑mill operational renewal (2.81 renewal + 0.5 new) and a separate 0.5‑mill capital levy to fund building repairs and tech upgrades; presenters warned cuts to digital borrowing, programs and hours if voters do not approve it.
Jeff Milo, director of marketing and communications for the Ferndale Area District Library, told the City Council the library will ask voters to approve two millage questions on the Aug. 4 primary ballot: a 3.31‑mill request to fund day‑to‑day operations (of which 2.81 mils would renew the current rate) and a separate 0.5‑mill question for capital projects and long‑term repairs.
The library’s director, Drew McCauley, introduced the proposal and highlighted rising use: Milo cited a 45% increase in checkouts over 10 years, a 92% increase in program attendance since 2016, and about 50,000 e‑book and audiobook downloads annually. He said the district formed in 2014 provides a dedicated revenue fund but that Headlee rollbacks and other adjustments have reduced the effective rate and that the current district bond and building upkeep now require a separate capital ask.
Milo outlined what the capital question would pay for: replacement of the geothermal HVAC system, roofing and siding repairs, flooring replacement, ethernet capacity upgrades and other infrastructure work. He said the operational funding would support collection development (print and digital), staffing that keeps the building open seven days a week, ongoing programming and services such as free public computers for residents without home internet.
Milo warned of consequences if neither question passes: “Digital borrowing will be cut in half. There would likely be a significant reduction in the amount of programming we’d offer, possibility of the reduction of hours, and needing to defer some building maintenance, which could risk having the building closed for unplanned maintenance.” He added the worst‑case scenario could see funding fall below a 1‑mill rate, “a 66% reduction.”
Why it matters: the two questions together are intended to sustain library services and create a capital fund to preserve the building and digital access that many residents rely on. The presenters noted absentee ballots will go out in late June and reminded residents the voter registration deadline cited in the presentation was July 21.
The council asked a few procedural questions and requested the presenters send the slides to staff; no formal action was required at the meeting. The library’s millage and capital request will appear to voters on the August 4 primary ballot as presented by the library.
