Millage Vote History

 

Kalamazoo citizens and voters historically have strongly valued and supported the civic and cultural life of our community – that support includes the Kalamazoo Public Library. Voters have approved every library operating millage since KPL’s first separate millage in 1974.

Date

Election Result

1955        

 Community votes funds for construction and furnishing of a new main library building. Issue passed in every precinct, with a 3 to 1 majority.
2-12-74

Separate School Board of Education meetings established for handling of library matters. School Board approved separating library millage request; 2 mills in place.
6-11-74 First separate KPL millage election held. Requested 2.4 mills for one year. Passed 2 to 1.
6-10-75 

Requested renewal of current levy of 2.3 mills for one year. Passed; overwhelmingly approved.
6-15-76 Requested 2.6 (.3 mill increase) for three years.  Passed 2 to 1; passed in every precinct. Levied 2.5 mills.
6-12-79 Requested 3.2 mills for three years. Passed (1,653 – 1,520). Levied 2.9 mills.
4-27-82 Requested 3.2 mills renewal for three years. Passed by 66%. Levied 3.0 mills first year, 3.2 mills each succeeding year.
3-26-85 Requested 3.2 mills renewal for three years and .5 mill increase, also for three years. Passed 3.2 renewal; .5 increase defeated.
3-8-88 Requested 3.2 mills renewal for three years. Passed (school millage defeated in this election).
6-12-90 Requested 2.88 mills for twenty years. First request by newly established Kalamazoo Public Library District. Passed 3 to 1.
3-6-95 Requested additional 1.1926 mills for twenty years to enhance services through redesigned, renovated and new buildings, increased materials and technology, additional staff, and a new bookmobile. Approved in 25 of 31 precincts; passed by 61%. This rate has been rolled back to 1.1801 mills due the 1978 Headlee Amendment to the Michigan constitution.
5-5-09  Kalamazoo Public Library requested a renewal for twenty years of the 2.88 mills approved in 1990 – the library’s main operating millage. This rate has been rolled back to 2.7782 due the 1978 Headlee Amendment to the Michigan constitution. Passed 3 to 1.