Each year, the Library holds an election for two* purposes. The first is for approval of a tax levy increase for the next fiscal year, or the additional amount of taxes requested to fund the Library. (The Library’s operating budget also includes income from other sources – grants, gifts, investment interest and fees – which are not subject to the vote.) The second purpose of the vote is to elect Trustees to fill any vacancies on the Library Board. A public information session on the proposed tax levy will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Library’s Community Room on the lower level.
[* Recognizing the financial impact of covid-19, the Board of Trustees did not request a tax levy increase in either 2020 or 2021. Only Trustee elections were held those years.]
The 2025 Library vote will be held on Tuesday, April 8, from 9am-9pm in the Library’s Community Room on the lower level. On the ballot are:
- A proposal to increase the tax levy to fund the fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026 library operating budget, and
- Election of two Trustees to serve two 5-year terms that begin on July 1, 2025. Incumbent Trustees Mark Damia and Nora Aman-Gurvich are running for re-election. Kristen Georgi, a longtime Warwick resident, is also on the ballot and running for Trustee.
1. Current FY 2024/2025 and Estimated* FY 2025/2026 tax rates/thousand:
Current Library Tax Rates – FY 2024/2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
- Warwick homes: $4.28/$1,000 of assessed value
- Chester homes: $0.96/$1,000 of assessed value
Estimated* Library Tax Rates for FY 2025/2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026):
- Warwick homes: $4.44/$1,000 of assessed value (an increase of $0.16)
- Chester homes: $1.00/$1,000 of assessed value (an increase of $0.04)
* Estimated tax rates are based on current property assessment values and equalization rates. Because the Towns of Warwick and Chester assess home values differently, the tax rates for Warwick homes differ from the tax rates of Chester homes located in the Warwick Valley Central School District. Warwick homes are typically assessed at less than 25% of their actual market value, while Chester homes are assessed closer to their actual market value. Still, in both towns, library operating tax rates are based on a home’s assessed value, not on its market value.
2. How to Calculate Your Estimated Library Tax for the Proposed Library Operating Levy
Based on the estimated FY 2025/2026 tax rates above, a family with a home in Warwick assessed at $50,000 would pay a library operating tax of $222. That’s an increase over 2024/2025 of $8 per year. A family with a home in Chester assessed at $200,000 would pay a library operating tax of $200 per year. That’s an increase over 2024/2025 of $8 per year.
Examples:
- If the assessed value of your Warwick property is $50,000, divide that number by 1,000. The result is 50, and 50 multiplied by $4.44 is $222. Your estimated 2025/2026 tax for the operating expenses of the Library is $222. (Consult your tax bill or the Town of Warwick Tax Assessor’s office to verify your home’s current assessed value.)
- If the assessed value of your Chester property is $200,000, divide that number by 1,000. The result is 200, and 200 multiplied by $1.00 is $200. Your estimated 2025/2026 tax for the operating expenses of the Library is $200. (Consult your tax bill or the Town of Chester Tax Assessor’s office to verify your home’s current assessed value.)
3. Voter Registration
Residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District who are registered to vote are eligible to participate in the library vote. Voter registration is held at the Warwick Valley Central School District Office at 225 West Street, Warwick. The office is open Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm, excluding School District holidays and closings. The phone number for the School District Office is (845) 987-3000.
4. Absentee Ballot Information
Absentee ballot applications may be submitted to the Library. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, applications must have been received by the Library at least 10 calendar days before the vote. If the ballot is to be provided in-person to the voter or to their designated proxy, the application must be received at least 1 day before the vote. Absentee ballot applications are posted online one month in advance of the vote, and are also available for pick-up at the Circulation Desk. A list of all people who have requested absentee ballots will be available for inspection at the Library five days before the vote and also posted at the Library during the hours of the vote. Absentee ballots must have been received at the Library no later than 9:00pm on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in order to be canvassed.
5. Early Ballot Information
Early ballot applications may be submitted to the Library. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, applications must have been received by the Library at least ten (10) calendar days before the vote. If the ballot is to be provided in-person to the voter, or to their designated proxy (in person), the application must be received at least one (1) day before the vote. Early ballot applications are posted online one month before the vote. The application is also available upon request at the Library’s front (Circulation) desk. A list of all people who requested early ballots will be available for inspection at the Library five days before the vote and also posted at the Library during the hours of the vote. Early voting ballots must have been received at the Library no later than 9:00pm on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in order to be canvassed.
6. Trustee Election Information
There are two Trustee positions on the April 8, 2025 ballot. Incumbent Trustees Mark Damia and Nora Aman-Gurvich are running for re-election. Kristen Georgi is also a candidate for Trustee.
Library Trustees are elected to serve a five (5) year term of office. Trustees meet monthly at the Library. The deadline to submit a Trustee petition in order to run for election is 5pm on Friday, March 7, 2025.
- Trustee Petition Memo
- Trustee Petition
- Trustee Statement of Campaign Expense
- Legal Notice of Library Vote
7. FY2025/2026 Library Operating Budget, compared to Current FY2024/2025 Budget