Each year,* the Library holds an election for two purposes. The first is for approval of the proposed increase of the next fiscal year's operating levy, or the additional amount requested to fund the Library through taxes. (The Library's operating budget also includes income from other sources - including grants, gifts, 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 budget was held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 7pm in the Library's Community Room.
[* Recognizing the financial impact of covid-19, the Library Board did not request a tax levy increase in either 2020 or 2021. In 2020, a Trustee election was held to fill 2 seats; Nora Aman-Gurvich and Mark Damia were elected for 5-year terms. In 2021, a Trustee election was held to fill two seats; Dr. Wayne Rossi was re-elected for a 5-year term; Mary Berrigan was elected to fill 3 years of an unexpired term.]
The 2022 Library vote was held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 9am-9pm in the Library's Community Room on the lower level. The items on the ballot were:
- The increase of the tax levy for the proposed FY2022/2023 Library Operating Levy, and
- Election of one trustee for a 5-year term to begin on July 1, 2022
THE TAX LEVY PASSED BY A CERTIFIED TALLY OF 319 YES, 47 NO. BARBARA JOHANSEN WAS ELECTED TO SERVE A 5-YEAR TERM AS TRUSTEE.
1. Current FY 2021/2022 and Estimated FY 2022/2023 tax rates/thousand for Library's Operating Levy
Current Rates: FY 2021/2022
- Warwick: $4.07/$1,000 of assessed value
- Chester: $0.92/$1,000 of assessed value
Click here for Town of Warwick School District Tax Rates 2021-2022
Estimated* Rates Proposed for FY 2022/2023:
- Warwick: $4.15/$1,000 of assessed value
- Chester: $0.94/$1,000 of assessed value
* Estimated tax rates are based on current property assessment values and equalization rates. There are different rates for Warwick homes and Chester homes in the Warwick Valley Central School District, because home values are assessed differently in the two towns. Warwick homes are typically assessed at less than 25% of their actual market value, and Chester homes are assessed closer to the actual market value. However, in both towns, library tax rates are based on assessed value, not market value.
2. How to Figure Your Tax for the Proposed Library Operating Levy
Based on the estimated FY 2022/2023 tax rates, a family with a home in Warwick assessed at $50,000 would pay a Library operating tax of $207.50. That's an increase of $4.00 a year. A family with a home in Chester assessed at $200,000 would pay a library operating tax of $188.00 a year, or an increase of $4.00 a year.
Examples:
- If the assessed value of your Warwick property is $50,000, you would divide that number by 1,000. The result is 50, and 50 multiplied by $4.15 is $207.50. Your 2022/2023 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $207.50.
- If the assessed value of your Chester property is $200,000, you would divide that by 1,000. The result is 200, and 200 multiplied by $0.94 is $188.00. Your 2022/2023 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $188.00.
3. Voter Registration
Residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District who are registered to vote may participate in the library election. Voter registration is held at the Warwick Valley Central School District Office at 225 West Street, Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm, excluding School District holidays and closings. The phone number for the School District Office is (845) 987-3100.
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 be received by the Library at least 7 calendar days before the April 5, 2022 vote. If the ballot is to be provided directly to the voter (in person), the application must be received at least one day before the vote.
Click here for an absentee ballot application (to print and fill out).
A list of all people who have requested absentee ballots will be available for inspection at the Library five days before the vote and will be posted at the Library during the hours of the vote.
5. Trustee Election Information
There WAS one (1) Trustee position on the April 5, 2022 ballot. Barbara Johansen RANfor the position. Here is her introduction: "I'm Barbara Johansen and I love our library! I've been a Warwick resident for 47 years, married to my husband John, and we've raised 4 children here. I was the art teacher at St. Stephen's School for 25 years and part of our family's restaurant - The Iron Forge Inn. I've been active in the community over the years (Warwick Ambulance Corps, Cub Scouts, SACHA auxiliary). I'm currently on the Board of the Ridgewood Art Institute. Our library offers a wide array of programs and resources for people of all ages in our community, and we need to get the message out to the Community that we are available for them!"
Library Trustees are elected to serve a five (5) year term of office. Persons wishing to stand for election as Trustee must have returned a petition with at least 66 signatures of residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District to the Library no later than 5pm on Friday, March 4, 2022.
6. Legal Notice of Library Vote
7. Proposed FY2022/2023 Library Operating Budget, with Current FY2021/2022 Budget