Alachua County taxpayers will pay a slightly lower millage rate for library services in the next fiscal year.
The Alachua County Library District approved a new millage rate on Wednesday night during a public budget hearing. The approved rate will fund operating costs for the libraries in Alachua County, which remain largely closed for public access. Curbside service for book pickup and return has been available since May.
The library district millage rate, or portion of a taxpayer’s property tax rate, has been lowered to 1.1289 mills, or about $1.13 for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value. Last year's library millage rate was 1.1825.
The library district’s governing board voted 6-0 to approve the proposal of a lower total operating millage rate, which will go into effect Oct. 1. Alachua County Library Director Shaney Livingston said making the decision was based on the growth in the tax base, the current millage rate and the proposed millage rate.
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COVID-19’s financial impact was a consideration in dropping the rate, Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell said. He and two other county commissioners, two city commissioners and one school board member comprise the governing board.
"It's really important that we show that we're being a good steward of the taxpayer's dollar," he said.
The funds collected from the millage rate will sustain the operating costs of the 12 library branches.