By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
When we discovered that Ohio is number one in the COUNTRY for state spending on libraries, we realized we need to start exposing the libraries. Prior to 2025, the State legislators spent more on libraries than they did for local government funds. In essence, they starved the local communities funding for police, fire and roads.
Here is the Schedule A from the Lake County Auditor’s office detailing the property tax levies collected for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library. in 2025, they received approximately $5,123,618 in total property tax revenue. It cost residential taxpayers, in the respective taxing districts paying for the library, $68.95 per $100,000 of market value. Taxpayers in a $300,000 house paid ~$207 annual fee to support the library, whether you used it or not.
A public records request was made by a Lake County patriot, K. Vesna Mijic-Barisic, and sent to me. Here is the payroll information submitted for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public library.
Here are the details on the employee benefits for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library employees.
Every employee is a member of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library pay 14% of each employee’s gross wage to the OPERS.
Eligible employees, 30 to 40 hours per week, are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance. The Library contributes 85% of a single full-time(40 hours) employee’s cost for these insurances, 80% for Employee/Spouse, Employee/Child(ren) and Family for full-time (40 hours) employees, 75% for part-time employees, all coverage levels.
Employees can contribute to a Flexible spending account, and the Library pays the $4.00 per employee per month administrative fee.
The Library contributes $125.00 per month for single coverage and $250.00 per month for family coverage for an eligible employee that is enrolled in the Health Savings Account medical insurance option.
Employees, 20-29 hours are eligible to enroll in dental and vision insurance. The Library contributes 65% for all coverage levels.
The Library provides $30,000 life insurance policy for all employees with authorized hours of 20 to 40 per week.
Employees are eligible for longevity pay starting at 5 years of service, at the following amounts:
5 years, $0.15, 10 years-$0.10, 15 years-$0.15, 20 years-$0.20, 25 years-$0.25 and 30 years-$0.25
Vicki Simmons
Fiscal & Compliance Officer
Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library
38115 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
440-942-7881 direct
440-943-2203 ext. 102″
Stay tuned for more articles on Lake County public libraries.
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Categories: Real Estate Taxes, State of Ohio, Uncategorized