Update: St. Joseph Public Library levy passes by 87.82 percent.

Voters approved the continuance of a .15 levy for the St. Joseph Public Library system with 3,054 votes: 2,682 yes and 372 no. Voter turnout came in at 8.54 percent

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(12 p.m.) Fewer voters than anticipated were hitting the polls Tuesday morning to vote on the St. Joseph Public Library levy renewal.

Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey reported that as of 11 a.m. only 2.3 percent of voters had cast a ballot. Originally, she had anticipated a turnout of around 10 percent for the election. However, with a slow start Tuesday she said 10 percent could be too high.

Tuesday’s special election will decide if a portion of the St. Joseph Public Library system’s .15 levy is renewed for another 20 years for the library to operate and maintain facilities. If approved, the levy would continue in 2020. As we previously reported, Library Director, Mary-Beth Revels said the levy was initially approved by voters in 1999.

The total library levy is .42 cents, of that .27 cents is permanent. Revels said it generates about $3.2 million a year. She said the library realizes the community appreciates the inclusion of a sunset clause so the .15 cents is up for renewal every 20 years.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. CLICK HERE for ballots and polling locations.