Hyde Park Library budget set for Oct. 9 vote

The Hyde Park Library District has outlined its proposed budget for 2015, with a small tax increase, which will go before voters on Oct. 9.

The budget, according to a news release from the library, proposes a tax levy increase of $6,567, or 1.6 percent, which translates to an additional 79 cents, for a total tax bill of $93 for a household with a home assessed at $175,000. Last year, there was no tax increase.

With all funding streams, the current 2014 budget is $450,385; the proposed 2015 budget passed by the library board is $469,345. Of that, the amount to be raised via taxes is $410,428.

Voting will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Hyde Park Free Library from 2pm to 9pm. Registered voters in the Hyde Park Library District (the town of Hyde Park excluding those in the Staatsburg and Hillside fire districts) are eligible to vote.

“We hope to see a good turnout because we would like to see a reflection of what people want and their wishes and needs,” library director Greg Callahan told the Observer.

He added that the budget increase is “within the normal range” and would help the library keep pace with costs.

“We’re trying to be cognizant of the taxpayers’ needs and that’s why we didn’t do an increase last year,” he said.

Copies of the proposed budget are available for review at the library’s main office.

Voting for three open seats on the library board of trustees will also occur Oct. 9.

“We have three candidates who submitted nominating petitions in time to meet the deadline,” Callahan said. “Of course, there is always the option of selecting a write-in candidate and letting one’s voice be heard that way.”

Two full, five-year terms are open and two candidates are running: Susan Buckley and Carole Chambers. A single one-year term has been made available by a board resignation and Karen Naber has submitted a petition for that seat.

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