(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2016) The Oneida Public Library (OPL) Board of Trustees Chairperson Patricia Albaugh released details on the proposed 2016-17 operating budget for the library. She stated that “we worked very hard to keep the new budget within the property tax cap limits” and noted the total budget increase is ‘only’ 1.7 percent above the annual budget approved by district voters two years ago.”
Last year, there was no increase in the operating budget and so there was no budget vote held. The total tax levy, which was reported to the municipalities included in the OPL District late last month, increased by $6,348 to a total of $340,458.
Carolyn Gerakopoulos, Director of OPL noted that the single largest line increase was salaries and wages necessitated by the increases in the minimum wages.
“We also needed to add to our building maintenance line this year, we are facing significant deterioration and some areas of building really need attention,” she said.
The proposed 1.9 percent increase in the District tax levy will mean that the library tax will increase by less than a penny ($0.009) per $1,000 of assessed value in Oneida. The owner of an average priced
Home throughout the OPL District will see an overall increase next year of about 90 cents in their library tax.
Registered voters living in the OPL District (which has the same boundaries as the Oneida City School
District) are eligible to participate in the 2016-17 Budget Vote, which will be held at the Oneida Public
Library, 220 Broad St. in Oneida on Tuesday March 1. Ballots can be cast between noon and 9 p.m.
Current OPL Board of Trustees member Heather de la Riva, is seeking to be elected to a full five-year
Term on the Board. She is running unopposed and will be available to meet the public at the Public Hearing for the proposed Budget to be held on Tuesday Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. The Public Hearing is also held at the library.
A copy of the proposed 2016-17 Budget can be obtained in person at the library or viewed on the OPL website.