Treasurer Distributes More Than $1 Million To Libraries

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books343-3

Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski just sent more than $1.1 million to libraries around the county thanks to fines collected by the court system. He tells WSJM News state law mandates a portion of traffic ticket proceeds go to libraries.

“Once a month we actually look at how much was have in cash and invest it for the libraries so it can earn interest, and then once a year we pull all that money plus interest and then send it out to local libraries,” Witkowski said. “It’s based on the populations they serve.”

Witkowski says it’s a nice chunk of change for libraries, but it’s been going down in recent years. He notes several years ago, his office sent around $1.5 million to local libraries. He thinks the amount could be decreasing due to fewer police officers on the roads since the Great Recession.