A mill levy is a source of funding where a majority of voters have agreed to pay higher property taxes to receive a service. A mill is one thousandth of the total property certified taxable valuation of a taxing jurisdiction. Thus, if the total taxable valuation of a city is $2,000,000, a one mill levy would yield $2,000 in property tax revenue ($2,000,000/1,000). Source: Montana Municipal Officials Handbook)
22-1-304, MCA is the piece of code that allows libraries to ask the voters for more funding. It spells out the process for going for more mills. Either a city council or a county commission can pass a resolution to put the issue on the ballot or they can ask library supporters to go through a petition process to gather signatures from 5% of the resident taxpayers to place the issue on the ballot. If library supporters gather enough signatures, the local government body will pass a resolution placing it on the ballot. Supporters will then campaign for a “yes” vote. If a majority of voters say yes, the library will receive additional mills. There is a delay in receipt of funding. The additional mills need to be added to property tax bills and paid by taxpayers before it is given to the library. A separate group is usually created to run the campaign. It often includes members of library support groups as well as other community members who are passionate about the library.
