The Dorr Township Library Board is wrestling with the question of whether to ask for a millage increase in the presidential primary election or the primary election in August next year.

Sara Rydeman, secretary of the board, asked the Township Board Thursday evening for its input of the issue, but did not receive an answer. Supervisor Jeff Miling essentially told her the decision is up to Library Board members.

The Dorr Township Library has suffered a couple of financial losses in the last couple of years, a millage defeat in August 2018 and another in August of this year. As a result, the facility has had to trim its hours and some of the services it offers.

Rydeman said, “If people don’t use the services in this community, they tend not to vote for them.”

Indeed, a solid chunk of the library’s patrons and users aren’t old enough to vote.

The library sought a half-mill increase in 2018, from 0.289 to 0.789 mill, and asked for a full mill last August. Officials have explained they cannot operate the facility and programs for a millage renewal of 0.289.

Rydeman said there are pluses and minuses in both proposed election dates. There will be no cost to get on the ballot in August, but the question likely will be buried at the bottom of the ballot because of so many candidates and issues for voters to decide on at the same time.

The board secretary said it would cost about $3,000 to place the issue on the March presidential primary ballot, but it would gain a lot of prominence with nothing but the Democratic and Republican Party primary candidates also on the ballot. There will be one ballot for each party and there would be an independent ballot for a library millage issue.

Rydeman said Library Director Elysha Hoekstra personally has indicated a preference for March because it would be faster in getting the issue decided and she likes the idea of not being overlooked or ignored by a clogged August ballot.

Dorr Township Treasurer Jim Martin said, “The turnout for Republicans (in March) seems at this point to be very small, so it’s almost like a special interest primary.”

Township Clerk Debbie Sewers cautioned, “There was a lot of negativity about spending $6,000 to have the special election last August… ‘Why are they spending money they don’t have?’”

Trustee John Tuinstra, who very openly circulated flyers opposing the millage, suggested the Library Board place a proposal for a renewal of 0.289 mill and then ask for an increase of perhaps 0.2 mill separately.

“I think you ought to ask for a smaller amount. You’ll get less negativity that way,” he said

Rydeman said the library probably won’t be able to continue operations and services with less than three-tenths of a mill.

Trustee Terri Rios said she’s heard presentations by Dorr Library Presidents Peggy Otto and Rachel Vote over the past three years that spoke glowingly about the increase in programs and services, so she doesn’t understand the need for more than 0.289.

“We’ve been basically a very fiscally responsible library board,” Rydeman said. “But now we’d like to expand our Internet services and our printer is gasping (for life).”

Martin agreed that former Director Natalie Bazan and Hoekstra have been very adept in securing grants to save money for programs and services.

Rydeman said she would take the information back to the board and promised in the meantime to “keep the doors open as long as possible.”