ALGOMA TWP., Mich. — Voters in Algoma Township will decide whether to leave the Kent District Library (KDL) during Tuesday’s special election.
Supporters of the proposal say it gives the community a chance to create a service of their own while opponents call the plan theoretical.
“We know it's an emotional issue and passionate issue for everybody,” said Kevin Green, Algoma Township supervisor.
In January, the township board proposed partnering with Solon Township to provide library services. The move was pitched as a way to save taxpayer money and give them a library closer to home.
READ MORE: Algoma Township board proposes leaving Kent District Library
Under the proposal, each community would have paid 0.5 mil, which would have generated $400,000 per year for operational expenses.
Algoma residents currently pay 1.25 mils for KDL services. It equates to about $0.04 for every taxable dollar. The system is expected to offer a new 1.1 mils in 2024.
Board members instead decided to put forth a more simple question, which only asks if residents want to withdraw from KDL by November 3, 2023.
“The township board… didn't want to spend a ton of money until they found out where the residents sit,” said Green. “If they decide that they want to do that, then we'll go all in, but in the meantime, we're just trying to see what the residents want.”
Amanda Gerhardt, who has lived in Algoma for nine years, says the ballot proposal comes with too many unknowns.
“If we do leave and we have to go through potential additional votes to say, ‘Well, could we join this? Could we join that? Could we build this?’ Those are all hypotheticals that we just don't know for sure will pass,” said Gerhardt. “We just feel like our best bet, again, is to keep an amazing award-winning service.”
Amy Roder, another resident, does not want to risk her family’s access to the books, computers, and other resources offered through KDL.
“There's too many open-ended questions and too many things that we just don't know yet,” said Roder.
Green told FOX 17 that if the ballot proposal passes, Algoma would most likely temporarily join Sparta Township’s library since state law requires the service.
Eventually, the township would partner with Solon Township to create its own system. He estimates it would cost anywhere between 0.5-0.7 mils, but acknowledged things could change.
“There’s a lot to work out,” said Green. “Obviously all the boards and commissions have to vote on all this and the residents have to want that too, so that's the big choice. We understand there's a little bit of risk, but we really also believe that we could do this together.”
In a flier sent at the end of March, the Kent County GOP took a stance against Algoma's continued membership in the library system, saying KDL charges Algoma $700,000 per year to use a library located in a different community while nearby, non-KDL facilities cost less than $300,000 per year.
"We support the residents of Algoma having the choice to take back local control at a lower cost, where the citizens prioritize the services that matter most to their community. Many residents have expressed interest in bringing a library right into Algoma Township."
—Kent County GOP
Randy Goble, KDL’s director of engagement, says that —while the overall amount is accurate— Kent GOP’s statement does not acknowledge the per-household amount.
Residents of Cedar Springs pay 1.2 mils for library services, nearly the same amount as Algoma residents (1.25 mils).
In a statement sent to FOX 17 Monday night, Kent County GOP representatives expressed fears of economic uncertainty and political opposition, echoing the flier's position that KDL used tax dollars to “promote controversial events and programs many parents feel are not family-friendly and promote gender confusion.” — a reference to an April event at Krause Memorial Library, showcasing the book Becoming Eve.
According to Goble, book club subjects and materials are chosen by the attendees, not KDL staff.
The Kent County GOP described KDL as “another big government social program with bloated budgets and little accountability.”
"KDL also uses taxpayer dollars to fund mandatory DEI training and unfairly compete with local small business through their "Beyond Books" program that offers free tool rental and hobbyist items, items far outside the scope of their traditional mission."
—Kent County GOP
Goble refutes that claim, saying their programs are a reflection of what the community wants most and tie in with other programs.
One example; wifi— Goble tells FOX 17 more than 1 in 10 households in Kent County do not have broadband access. Residents in Algoma are among the most frequent users of the KDL wifi hot spots.
“It’s important that people vote on this one way or another because it's an integral part of the community,” said Goble. “Libraries help schools, they help seniors, they help people who are lower-income households. They're really a vital part of the community and it's important that there's going to be a change that the people have a voice in what they have.”
Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday. FOX 17 will be following theresults of this and all items on the ballots across our state as they come in.
