Way Public Library officials in Perrysburg are preparing to book a spot on the March 14, 2024 primary ballot for the replacement of a four-year, 1.5-mill levy.

“It’s time to replace it and keep things moving,” said Janel Haas, the library director.

Perrysburg City Council approved the replacement levy request at Tuesday’s meeting.

Ms. Haas said that the levy has been in place since 2004. It currently brings in $1.4 million annually. If renewed next year — it expires Dec. 31, 2024 — it will generate $1.6 million annually, she said.

“We almost always go for the replacement,” Ms. Haas said. “It usually gives us enough added dollars to not ask for additional millage.”

The replacement levy would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $134 per year, she said.

The levy is crucial to Way’s operation, Ms. Haas said.

“It’s about 48 percent of our budget,” she said. “We would not be the library that we are if we did not have that levy.”

The other half of the operating budget comes from state funds, Ms. Haas said.

Much of the extra financial support for Way is through its foundation, she said, which funded a small renovation 10 years ago.

“One of the wonderful things about Way is we have an amazing foundation and they are the ones that support us to go above and beyond with our programming,” Ms. Haas said.

Way is on track to exceed circulation numbers from 2019, with more than 750,000 materials being checked out in 2023, she said.

“The patrons of Perrysburg love their library and they use it,” Ms. Haas said.

First Published November 7, 2023, 6:02 p.m.