The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) is seeking a 5-year renewal of a 2.4-mill levy. The levy renewal will be Issue 2 during the general election on November 5, 2024. This is the same term and millage voters approved in 2014 and 2019.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Issue 2:
What is a tax levy?
In easy terms, a tax levy is the amount of tax dollars that a public institution (like a library or a school) takes from your income or property taxes (each levy is written differently, some even take a portion from lottery sales, gasoline, tobacco, and casinos!).
For example: Let us say you pay $5,000/year in property tax on a house you own in Austintown, and a levy is proposed to renew the 1% used to help fund PLYMC. That means that $50/year of your taxes go to the library system to help keep us running. Since this levy was enacted in 2014, the vote in November is simply to renew the levy and keep our lights on.
Will my taxes increase?
No, Issue 2 is a straight renewal with no tax increase.
How much will the levy cost homeowners?
It would cost each homeowner around $7 per month for every $100,000 worth of property value in the county. That's under $.25 per day!
How is the library funded?
PLYMC currently receives 46% of its funding from the levy and 49% of its funding from the State of Ohio through the Public Library Fund. Other government funding provides 2% of the funding. Fees and other income provide the remaining 3%.
So, as you can see, it is quite a bit of money that the library depends on from the levy. Almost half. The funds are used to keep the doors open and the programs running.
How is the library used?
PLYMC serves Mahoning County residents through 14 branches and a mobile library. Last year, the library had more than 650,000 visits and circulated over 1.4 million items. PLYMC branches provided 98,807 computer sessions. Patrons borrowed mobile hotspots 2,449 times for WiFi on the go. In 2023, more than 4,200 people participated in Summer Discovery, PLYMC's learning and literacy program.
The library also serves the community through its special delivery services which sends materials by mail to qualifying homebound individuals. The Pop-Up Library brings the library to schools, senior housing communities and local events.
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote online on the Ohio Secretary of State website, opens a new window or in person at any PLYMC location.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
October 7, 2024 is the deadline to register to vote in the general election on November 5, 2024.
How do I vote?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Find your polling place.
For additional information, including the early voting schedule, visit the Mahoning County Board of Elections website or voteohio.gov.
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