Wissahickon School Board Says 'No' to Raising Library Taxes

The denied the request for a tax increase, which would increase the library’s operating budget by $25,050.

The library tax is a separate line on the tax bill than the real estate tax. However, the school board is the organization with the power to tax for the library.

In a letter to the school board from library Director, Anne Frank, wrote that the library has received $22,876 in grant funding and has held three fundraisers, which raised $13,701 since 2008.

Since also told the Board that the library has cut expenses by 14 percent, has reduced open hours and has cut personal days and sick time for part time staff.

Frank told the Board that the library currently has $190,000 in capital reserves, and $400,000 in an endowment. The endowment was set up by the Friends of the Library with the intention to build it up to $1 million and be able to withdraw the earnings from the account.

However, Frank told the board that tax dollars go into the operating budget.

Young Park, president of the School Board, said the district has done a lot of cutting to avoid raising taxes and asked if the library could withdraw from the endowment rather than raise taxes on the residents.

“If the answer is[taxing our residents], I’m against it,” said Park.

The increase the library asked for, 2.5 percent, would have equated to an increase of $1.50 for homes appraised at $200,000.

The Board voted on a zero percent increase, with Marjorie Brown and Barbara Moyer dissenting.

Moyer said she voted no because the board did not approve an increase to the library.