257.18  Equalization grants.--

(1)  Any county qualifying for an operating grant is eligible to receive an equalization grant when the value of 1 mill adjusted to reflect the average statewide level of assessment is below the median amount for all counties in the state and the per capita local funds expended for library support during the second preceding year is below the average for all counties. The equalization factor is computed by subtracting the value of 1 mill adjusted to reflect the average statewide level of assessment for each county from the average adjusted value of 1 mill for all counties and then dividing that amount by the average adjusted value of 1 mill for all counties. An equalization grant is computed by multiplying the equalization factor times the total local funds expended for library support by that county during the second preceding year and adding that amount to the actual total local funds expended for library support by that county during the second preceding year. The result is the adjusted value for the local funds expended for library service. The amount of the equalization grant is equal to 25 cents of the adjusted value of local funds expended for library service.

(2)  When the adjusted mill equivalent of actual local funds expended for library support by the county during the second preceding year is above the statewide average adjusted mill equivalent of actual local funds expended by all counties receiving operating grants, the amount of the equalization grant is equal to 50 cents of the adjusted value of local funds expended for library service.

(3)  The Division of Library and Information Services shall calculate equalization grants based on the amount of local funds expended for library service the second preceding year as certified by the appropriate county officials and information on the level of assessment of property in each county and the taxable value of property in each county as reported by the state agency authorized by law, which shall certify the results of such determination to the division.

(4)  For the purposes of this section, s. 257.21 does not apply.