The Library Issue #8
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is entirely funded by the Lucas County and Ohio residents through a local property tax (60 percent of the library’s operations) and the state operational budget (40 percent). In 2025 state legislators enacted budget cuts that resulted in a nearly $2 million reduction in the budget
The Library is seeking a NEW 3.0 mil operational levy.
These funds will:
- Restore all hours, including Saturdays, to King Road and Waterville on January 2, 2027
- Add Sunday hours to Sylvania, Heatherdowns and Oregon branches on January 2
- Restore Main and Mobile hours by early summer 2027
The levy will also allow the Library to continue offering so many free services to the community such as printed books, digital materials, various programs (sy=such as Ready to Read early literacy, after school, adult education, book clubs, etc
The Library returns nearly $7 worth of resources for every $1 the community invests, making it a good taxpayer investment.
Why is the Library asking for a new levy?
- The current levy will expire at year’s end 2027, and due to recent state reductions, the Library is asking voters to consider a new levy now to restore the lost service hours and maintain excellent library services.
How much will it cost?
- The new 3.0-mills levy will cost a homeowner $105 a year per $100,000 of valuation (29 cents a day). This is an increase of $12.42 annually.
- About 60% of Library operational funding comes from the levy — meaning over half of everything at the Library is made possible by local support.
- The Library levy accounts for only about 5% of all property taxes in Lucas County.
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The TPS Issue #9
The Toledo Public Schools’ Issue # 9 is a 6.9-mill, five-year NEW operating levy expected to generate about $22.8 million annually for the district.
TPS services leaders are asking voters to approve the new levy because it will help the district maintain and avoid deeper cuts in the years ahead. TPS estimates it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $242 per year – about $20 per month.
The request comes months after TPS implemented its Transformation 2.0 plan, which included school closures, transportation changes and other cost-saving measures designed to address the district’s $68 million deficit. TPS leaders say the district has faced pressure from declining enrollment, reduced funding and rising costs.
If voters approve the levy, TPS could explore restoring or maintaining services that were affected by recent cuts.
Those areas could include transportation, nursing services and keeping classroom sizes manageable, no decisions have been finalized.
If the levy fails, additional cuts could be considered.
If approved by voters in November, the levy would begin generating revenue for the district in 2027.
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The Imagination Station Issue #13
Issue # 13 is the Imagination Station Levy, a 0.17-mill renewal levy which will cost the owner of a $1,00,000 home about $3.22 annually – no increase in property taxes.
If approved the levy will continue to fund: free Saturday admission for Lucas County children; daily discounts for Lucas County residents; discounted school visits; educational resources for students and families.
The renewal follows years of support for the science center, which offers hands‑on learning, STEM programs, and community events.