Library board proposes tax levy, trustee election set for April 4

Public hearing March 21 Warwick - Residents within the Warwick Valley School District will go to the polls Tuesday, April 4, to decide whether to approve the proposed $753,615 tax levy for the Albert Wisner Public Library, an increase of $36,850 over last year’s amount. What does that means to your pocketbook? An increase of 10 cents per thousand of assessed value, or $2.04 per thousand, for Warwick residents in the district, and three cents per thousand to Chester residents in the school district, or $.51 per thousand. Warwick’s assessment rate is about one quarter of full value while Chester’s is at full value. A homeowner whose house is valued at $400,000 in either Warwick or Chester will pay $204 for the library tax. The actual working budget for the library is not voted on by the public. Just the amount paid by taxes. According to Library Director Rosemary Cooper, the tax levy covers the library’s working expenses such as salaries, maintenance, supplies, and programs. What is included in the entire budget - but not the tax levy - are gifts and grants given to the library throughout the year, as well as endowments, interest and copy machine income. Some grants and gifts are not available at election time. For example, Cooper noted that state Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-C-New City, was able to secure a grant of $30,000 for the library last summer, but that can only be used to rework the plans of the proposed new library. Another $10,000 grant was received through Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt. But these gifts are for specific purposes and cannot be used for operating expenses. Cooper said the library board is very conservative about their budgets. This year’s budget includes salary increases of about 3.25 percent and no new salaried positions. Fuel has been an expense — this budget allows for $2,100 more for next year for fuel and utilities than the current year. Cooper noted that this month’s fuel bill was $800 more than last year’s. “We have to keep the heat on,” she said. There is also one seat available on the library board. Dr. Wayne Rossi, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last year, is running unopposed for the five-year term. The library board will hold a public hearing on March 21 at 7 p.m. at the library. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the library or can be found on the library’s Web site at www.albertwisnerlibrary.org. The Albert Wisner Public Library is a school district library but receives no funding from the school district itself. Residents of the school district who wish to vote via absentee ballot may pick one up at the library up until the day before the election. Those who wish to have one mailed to them must contact the library at least seven days before April 4.