No Tax Increase Sought in Proposed North Bellmore Library Budget

The North Bellmore Public Library's proposed 2010-11 budget is $2,515,200, $4,600 less than 2009-10, and will not raise the tax rate for the second consecutive year.  The library anticipates $34,780 in income, a $4,600 decrease from 2009-10, which would balance the total tax request at $2,480,420, the exact same as 2009-10.    

The biggest decrease comes in building maintenance, where funds drop from $210,300 to $146,500. Bookkeeper Susan Labarbera said that last year the library needed money to repair the roof that it does not anticipate needing this year, and Trustee Vincent Maiello added that the library had been able to lower costs in the elevator maintenance contract.    

The library did lose money in interest income, dropping from $15,000 to $3,000, which the board blamed on the poor economy.  

"The banks aren't paying any more," Labarbera said.    

The $63,800 that the library gained in the elevator maintenance contract was mostly lost to a $9,700 increase in materials, a $17,500 increase in library operating services, a $7,000 increase in office expenses and a $25,000 increase in personnel.    

Labarbera said that operating expenses are up because of increased circulation and higher attendance at programs, which she said she attributes to people not wanting to spend money in a difficult economy.    

"We have a program in here, I'd say, every day," she said.  "The children's ones have always been well attended, but the young adult lately has really taken off."    

Citizens can vote on the library budget on April 8, from 1 to 9p.m.