ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.—A proposed redistribution of the local income tax could hurt the St. Joseph County Public Library’s budget, according to the library.

Under the redistribution of taxes, libraries will lose 24% of their local income tax revenue, which would cut half a million dollars from the SJCPL’s budget starting in 2020 and every year following, the library said.

A $500,000 funding cut from the library’s budget could result in one branch closing, which would leave at least 7,500 people with a library, according to the SJCPL.

Funds from local income taxes are used by the library to pay for utilities, building maintenance, staff salaries and purchasing books and other collection materials.

The library is asking the community to reach out to county and city council members ahead of a public hearing on September 10, which will be held at 227 West Jefferson Boulevard on the 4th floor at 6 p.m.

For more information about the library’s budget impacts, click here.