Library Proposes $2.4M Budget For 2011-2012

's board of trustees have proposed a $2.4 million budget for 2011-2012 based upon rising mandated costs, according to Library Director Judith Berry. The budget goes up for vote on April 5.

"The board and I have been trying to maintain a very low budget increase, as low as we can, while evolving to meet the community's needs. We pride ourselves on community service and we do try to offer our community what it needs," Berry said. 

The single largest expenditure within the proposed budget is personnel at $1,425,666, making up 58 percent of the library's overall costs. Berry said this is  due to mandatory costs including  the MTA Payroll Tax, increasing contributions to New York State's Employee Retirement System and the rising costs of health care insurance. The state's  MTA Payroll Tax costs the library approximately $4,000 per year. 

The second largest cost for Hauppauge Public Library, unknown to many of its patrons, is the rent the public organization pays to occupy its current space. The rent is expected to cost $562,620 in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Berry said the hefty rent is the main reason library board trustees agreed to purchase a  No plans have been submitted for a building yet. 

The proposed budget is also increasing as the library has expanded its services over the past year, Berry said. Hauppauge Public Library is now open Friday nights until 9 p.m.,  in addition to opening on Sundays from September to June, whereas previously it opened October to June, at patrons request. 

"We want to continue to evolve with the community," the director said. 

In 2010-2011, the library celebrated its 10th anniversary loaning out more than 177,000 items and serving more than 143,000 visitors. This continues to grow since previous years, expecially in wake of the economic recession, according Berry. 

If the proposed budget is  passed, Town of Islip homeowners in Hauppauge would see a yearly increase of $9 for homes with an assessed value of $50,000. 

Voting will be held on April 5 between 10 a.m. and  9 p.m. Residents must be at least 18 years of age, have lived within the library district for 30 days and be registered to vote. 

Board Trustee Robert Druckenmiller will be running unopposed for re-election to a five-year term on the board ending June 30, 2016.