The Alachua County Library District (ACLD) Governing Board voted on a final budget and millage rate for fiscal year 2024 last week. 

The district’s total budget for the year is $21,675,546, with $13,876,743 going to personal services such as employee salaries and insurance. $6,766,634 is budgeted for operating expenses, and another $1,032,169 for non-operating expenses. 

The millage rate will be 1.0339, a decrease from last year’s rate, but which is expected to bring in 7.04% more money than last year’s millage did. To produce the same amount of revenue as last year, the district could have applied the rollback rate of 0.9659. 

Over the last 10 years, the district’s millage has decreased from 1.3857 mills. Last year’s rate was 1.0565, helping pay for the 584 open hours of library service per week at the district’s 12 locations. 

Shaney Livingston, library director, told the governing board that this millage rate is necessary to conduct library district business. 

Unlike some other government bodies, the library district is almost entirely dependent on property taxes for both operating and capital expenses. To maintain its budget and a reduced millage rate this year, the district has deferred some construction projects. 

The district expects to receive about $283,812 in state aid in fiscal year 2024. The projection is $43,054 less than received in FY 2023, and $157,512 less than received in FY 2013. The district uses these state funds to purchase library materials. 

With an additional $2,700,000 appropriated from the general fund for materials, the district’s materials budget for the year is approximately $3,265,898. 

The budget also includes plans for expanding makerspace throughout the district, with an eye for partnership and sponsor opportunities. According to the meeting packet, the district plans to add a dedicated makerspace at Headquarters Branch.