Politics & Government

Babylon Library Proposes Two Percent Tax Increase

Total proposed budget increases less than one-and-a-half percent from previous year.

The Babylon Public Library Board of Trustees released their proposed budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, totaling $1.9 million and seeking a two-percent property tax increase.

"We're seeking a modest increase while seeking to keep our library on top," said board president Frank Fronzo at the library's budget hearing on March 26. The total two-percent increase raises the tax rate $0.20 per $100 of assessed value to $10.01.

The library board projected lower revenue for the upcoming year, down roughly 25 percent, or $23,250, from the year before. Other expenditures, including state mandates to retirement funds.

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"We have things we can't control," noted library director Neely McCahey.

McCahey set priorities for the upcoming year for the library, including staff development to use up-to-date technologies, promote library awareness, strengthen their relationship with the school district, develop long term plans for the library and maintaining their current hours, which are among the few libraries to include being open on Sundays.

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"Tech is moving a very rapid pace, as we know," said Fronzo. "Things constantly changing – we need to brainstorm to figure out how we can be the library of the future before it passes us by."

Fronzo added: "We think it is critical to be open for when people need us. We are trying to focus our dollars on keeping the library here, alive and well, and use it in the future."

The library budget goes to a public vote on April 9 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.


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