Library proposes 1.99% budget increase
The Rockville Centre Public Library recently proposed its 2015-16 budget — a 1.99 percent increase over the current spending plan that would increase taxes about $13 for the average household.
The proposed budget increases library spending from $3.3 million to $3.37 million — a total increase of $65,855. That would be a tax increase of $13.13 for the average Rockville Centre house valued at $500,000. The increase stays within the bounds of the state’s Property Tax Cap.
“The Board of Trustees decided from the onset of the budgeting process that it thought it was appropriate and achievable to maintain the tax cap,” said Catherine Overton, library director. “We were able to hold that goal by rebalancing our expenditures with a keen eye on maintaining the level of services that our patrons are accustomed to. The increase in the tax levy over last year is less than $66,000.”
The biggest portion of the budget is staff salaries and benefits, which totals $2.78 million, or 82 percent of the total budget. Salaries are increasing by 1.5 percent, and the library’s contributions to health insurance are also increasing. But the total spent on all benefits is decreasing by about $3,000.
Another lager increase is in the expenses for operations and maintenance, specifically capital expenditures and maintenance.
Capital expenditures spending is increasing by 140 percent, from $10,000 to $24,000. That is so the library can expand the technology it provides, Overton said, and be more user-friendly. “Updating our equipment would include a scanner, wireless printing and more computers,” she said.
The aging building is also forcing the library to spend more on maintenance. There are areas of the roof and building that need repairs. Additionally, the library’s HVAC system requires servicing.
With the increases in spending for the building, though, also come increases in things that will have a direct benefit to the thousands of patrons that visit the library every year.
The library is reducing its spending on reference materials, since patrons now access most of the information online. Physical books are still the most popular media at the library, but others are catching up.
