The Hampton Bays Library board recently proposed a library budget that seeks to override the allowable annual 2 percent state cap on tax levy increases.
This proposal is deeply troubling to many in our community and, I believe, the interests of the Hampton Bays working and middle-class residents.
It is important to recognize that while the library is a vital institution, one that fosters learning, connection and opportunity, its primary mission must remain at the heart of its finances and operations. A robust library should prioritize the acquisition of books, digital resources, educational programming and the maintenance of a welcoming environment for all. However, the current proposed budget allocates excessive funding to noncore activities and expenditures that stray far from this essential mission.
The reality is that Hampton Bays is a community of hardworking individuals and families, many of whom are already facing economic pressures. It is unfair and unsustainable to continually look to residents as an endless source of additional funding, especially when those funds are not being directed toward the services and resources that matter most.
The library’s role is not to act as a community center for every possible activity, but rather to be a beacon of literacy, education and civic engagement.
Furthermore, the fact that the library board is unelected makes it even more crucial to exercise restraint and accountability when deciding how public money is spent. As stewards of our collective resources, you have a responsibility to the taxpayers to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and transparently, in ways that align with the library’s core objectives.
This budget should not be approved by residents in its current form. The library board should reconsider this budget proposal and bring expenditures back in line with what is reasonable and necessary for the fulfillment of the library’s true purpose.
Please listen to the voices of Hampton Bays residents, who deserve fiscal prudence and a library that serves their most pressing educational and informational needs. Our library can and should be a source of pride for Hampton Bays, but that requires commitment to sound budgeting and a focus on what matters most.
The library budget vote is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Hampton Bays Library.
Ray D’Angelo
Hampton Bays
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