The Millstadt Library has remained firm with its explanation of the upcoming annexation referendum vote.
We found out recently, that amongst the
plethora of misinformation spread online, that even the County election board has misspoke concerning the upcoming vote.
Please visit https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/county-clerk/elections/press-releases to read their official press release.
To clarify once more, there are two votes. For a successful annexation, it would look like the following;
For those inside the current Library District (Millstadt Village Limits)
- A vote of "YES" to expand the library district, or in other words, to allow those who do not have library access to have it.
For those who live outside the Library District (inside Millstadt School District #160, but not served by a Neighboring Library)
- A vote of "YES" to being annexed into the Millstadt Library District.
- To take on the same .0015 mill rate that those within the Village already pay for library services.
- This is about $95 for a $200,000 house or about an $8 monthly increase in taxes.
- Farmland is the same tax and can be seen anywhere from 1.71 acres at under $0.40 a year to 140 acres at around $40 a year.
- This would be the second lowest item on your tax bill.
As explained at even the most recent Open House, the vote is decided by a simple majority and outside the library district, it is decided per contiguous precinct.
There has also been talk about the date of 2026 and other facts and figures about the library. 2026 is a number that the library might be funded by, but it is highly doubtful. We say in every presentation and conversation that we might see a new library at least by 2026.
One thing we have not mentioned, is the ability to have a non-partisan ballot. We apologize that we were just made aware of that, so if you would like to vote in the Primary and not declare a party, you can request to simply vote for the library.
Statistics about the library, such as the amount of current library cards are interesting numbers – but please be aware, knowing numbers and not understanding what they mean or what they compare to, makes them only numbers. Current library cards, resident and non-resident vary throughout the year – they expire, and not everyone renews them right away. The 480+ current resident cards we see can go up to 600+ a year. The 40+ non-resident cards can be around 80+ cards. When we see on average 800+ people a month, many of these individuals come in for the other services we provide. The taxpayers who use or don’t use the services they pay for are funding these services to make them available as resources for everyone.
This vote is about providing more resources to more people and not just to the dark, cramped library we have now, but to a new, bright and airy library with more space and more resources – one that taxpayers would be truly proud to spend time in.
Annexed residents would also have a chance to run for the library board and have a voice in the library and have their area represented.
Please remember that there is a lot of misinformation out there – much more than factual, and we urge everyone, no matter their vote, to make their decisions based on information gathered from verified sources.