UPDATE: Rogers Memorial Library Budget Passes 175 to 43

Voters from Southampton and Tuckahoe on Friday overwhelmingly approved the Rogers Memorial Library’s $4,060,947 budget for next year, while at the same time electing two new members to the library’s board of directors.

A total of 218 residents voted to approve the spending plan, which represents a budget-to-budget increase of 1.03 percent over the current year’s $4,019,733 budget. There were 43 votes against the spending plan, under which the overall tax levy will increase by $5,364, or 0.12 percent, from $4,351,401 to $4,356,765 next year. Library officials estimate a 2016 tax rate of 0.1662 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, down 6.5 percent from the current tax rate of 0.1778 cents.

In Tuckahoe, 44 voters approved the $401,908 in taxes to be levied in that school district for the library, while eight were opposed. In Southampton, 131 voters approved the $4,356,765 levy, with 35 voting against it.

Voters also chose to elect Robert Fischette, who received 108 votes, and Ann Zakour, who received 180 votes, to serve as library trustees.

The newly elected trustees’ terms will begin on January 2017 and end on December 31, 2020.

Voters will head to the polls on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton Village for the annual budget and library trustee vote.

Anne Zakour and Robert Fischette are running for two open seats vacated by Library Trustee President Sandra J. Klemuk and Judy Johnson, who after serving two consecutive four-year terms, chose not to seek reelection.

This year, library officials have proposed a $4,060,947 operational budget, an increase of $41,214, or 1.03 percent over the current year’s spending.

Voters are also being asked to approve a $4,356,765 tax levy, an increase of $5,364 or 0.12 percent over the 2016 tax levy. That keeps the library within the state-imposed cap on tax levy increases of 0.12 percent.

The estimated 2017 tax rate is $0.1662 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, down 6.5 percent, or $.0116 from the current year’s $0.1778 rate.

The proposed budget does not cut any programs currently being offered.

“I think it’s amazing we were able to stay under the cap,” Library Director Elizabeth Burns said this week. She credited this partly to the retirement of a few long-term employees.

Ms. Zakour is seeking her first term on the board. She moved to Southampton 10 years ago, and began working as a real estate agent. Now retired, Ms. Zakour spends her time giving back to the community through charity work.

Mr. Fischette has been practicing law in Southampton for 11 years and is also on the Board of Directors for the Southampton Association for Beach Access—or SABA.

“This year we’re looking to do more outreach to attract more of the community,” Ms. Burns said.

In fact, on August 18, the library plans to have a pop-up library at Coopers Beach to allow people to check out books while spending the day at the beach.

More information about the budget is available at the library website, Myrml.org, or at 283-0774, extension 501.