Flint Library To Cut Hours If Voters Don't Approve New Tax

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Flint Public Library administrators say operating hours would be cut if voters don't approve a new property tax.

The Flint Journal reports nine hours would be trimmed from library hours Tuesdays through Saturdays if voters reject the tax proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Property values in Flint have dropped 50 percent since 2009. Director of Library Services Kay Schwartz says the library made nearly $2 million in cuts as property values declined, including closing three small neighborhood branches.

Schwartz says foundations have provided funding the last two years to maintain library hours.

The tax increase through 2021 would raise $447,000 in its first year. Annual property taxes would go up by about $15 for a home valued at $50,000.

Flint