Each year,* the Library holds an election for two purposes. The first is for approval of the proposed increase of the tax levy for the next fiscal year, 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, 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 was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6:30pm 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 2024 Library vote was held on Tuesday, May 7, from 9am-9pm in the Library's Community Room on the lower level. On the ballot are:
- The increase of the tax levy to fund the proposed FY2024/2025 library operating budget, and
- Election of two Trustees for 5-year terms that begin on July 1, 2024. Current Trustees Colleen Larsen and Mary Berrigan ran for reelection.
1. Current FY 2023/2024 and Estimated FY 2024/2025 tax rates/thousand for Library's operating levy:
Current Library Tax Rates - FY 2023/2024 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)
- Warwick homes: $4.20/$1,000 of assessed value
- Chester homes: $0.94/$1,000 of assessed value
Estimated* Library Tax Rates Proposed for FY 2024/2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025):
- Warwick homes: $5.38/$1,000 of assessed value
- Chester homes: $1.21/$1,000 of assessed value
* 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 differ for Warwick homes and Chester homes 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 tax rates are based on assessed value, not on market value.
VOTERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE MAY 7, 2024 LIBRARY VOTE APPROVED THE TAX LEVY INCREASE WITH A VOTE TALLY OF: 276 YES, 52 NO. INCUMBENT TRUSTEES COLLEEN LARSEN AND MARY BERRIGAN WERE EACH RE-ELECTED WITH 306 AND 302 VOTES, RESPECTIVELY; THERE WAS ONE WRITE-IN VOTE FOR TRUSTEE.
2. How to Calculate Your Estimated Library Tax for the Proposed Library Operating Levy
Based on the estimated FY 2024/2025 tax rates above, a family with a home in Warwick assessed at $50,000 would pay a library operating tax of $269. That's an increase over 2023/2024 of $4.92 per month, or $59 per year. A family with a home in Chester assessed at $200,000 would pay a library operating tax of $242 per year. That's an increase over 2023/2024 of $4.50 per month, or $54 per 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 $5.38 is $269. Your estimated 2024/2025 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $269.
- 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 $1.21 is $242. Your estimated 2024/2025 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $242.
3. Voter Registration
Residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District who are registered to vote may participate in library elections. 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) 987-3100.
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 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 was available for inspection at the Library five days before the vote and was 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 May 7, 2024 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 was available for inspection at the Library five days before the vote and was 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 May 7, 2024 in order to be canvassed.
6. Trustee Election Information
There were two Trustee positions on the May 7, 2024 ballot. Trustees Colleen Larsen and Mary Berrigan ran for re-election. Both were re-elected; there was one write-in vote.
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 passed as of 5pm, April 5, 2024.
- Trustee Petition Memo
- Trustee Petition
- Trustee Statement of Campaign Expense
- Legal Notice of Library Vote
7. FY2024/2025 Library Operating Budget, compared to Current FY2023/2024 Budget