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 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.
As it stands now, it would cost each homeowner around $7 per month for every $100,000 worth of property value in the county. This is generating around $10 million per year of our revenue.
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. Almost half. To better serve the Mahoning County community, it is vital that these funds are renewed by the voters, and we can keep our doors open and our programs running.
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.
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