Essex County Council is going to keep a surplus of funds from last year's lengthy library strike in reserves.
Council voted Wednesday evening to keep the $790,000 in the coffers to support future library needs and capital enhancements.
County administration says had the money been returned to the tax payer, each ratepayer would get about $4 back.
Warden Tom Bain says the cost of returning the funds wouldn't have been worth it.
Municipal officials from Leamington, Amherstburg and Essex voted to have the money returned to each municipality, however the vote to keep the money at the county level passed.
