Food for Thought: FAQs on the Library’s Millage Proposal

Next week, Frankenmuth Wickson District Library will be on the ballot for Michigan’s August 4th Primary Election. Here are several of the most common questions Wickson staff has been asked over the past few months. And more information is available on our Millage 2026 FAQ page: wicksonlibrary.org/millage2026.

What specifically is the library asking for?

Frankenmuth Wickson District Library is requesting voter approval of an additional millage, not to exceed 0.85 mills, for a period of twenty years.

How will the money be used?

Like many public institutions, the library continues to experience rising costs related to materials, wages, operations, and necessary building maintenance and capital improvement projects. Per the reserve study that was completed in 2023, some of the capital improvement projects that will need to be addressed in the coming years are: installation of a new roof, updating the HVAC system, completing an elevator renovation, installation of a new water main line, and complete renovation of the parking lot.

Additionally, the proposed millage revenue may be used to ensure the library can continue to maintain current service levels and resources to the Frankenmuth community both now and in the future.

How much will this cost me personally?

The proposed additional millage would not exceed 0.85 mill ($0.85 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property within the library district for 20 years, ending in 2045. The average resident can expect to pay an estimated $11-14 per month.

How many people utilize the library’s resources?

Frankenmuth Wickson District Library continues to experience growth in both cardholders and daily library usage year after year, now averaging over 500 visitors per day, for a total of over 156,000 visitors in 2025. Wickson Library also boasts 5,114 cardholders and counting!

According to the 2025 Annual Report, the library experienced an 11% increase in new cardholders, a 39% increase in program attendance, a 48% increase in home deliveries of books and library materials, 400 reservations for use of the Community Room, over 500 registered sessions for the library's private study rooms, and an 8% increase in the total volume of physical and digital items in our collections.

How much money do libraries comparable to Frankenmuth Wickson District Library receive from property taxes?

 As of 4/29/2026, operating millages of a similar scope/location:

Bridgeport Public Library: 1.5mill

Bullard Sanford Memorial Library: 1.25mill

Caro District Library: 1.5mill

Fowlerville District Library: 1.5mill

Millington District Library: 1.0mill

What if the millage does NOT pass?

If the millage does not pass, the Library Board will need to evaluate future budgets and may need to reduce programs, services, or hours, depending on available revenues and expenses. Additional information on budget and revenue breakdowns can be found here.

Current Library Board members include Lisa Rothlisberger (Board President), Adele Martin (Vice President), Susan Todd (Outgoing Secretary), Beth Nellenbach (Treasurer), Alicia Hart, Marty Mattlin, Tom Meyer, Seth Partridge, and Samuel Struble (incoming.)