Library Budget Passes, Trustee Biggs Re-Elected

The budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year – which includes a 3.6 tax increase  – was approved by voters on Tuesday.

Garry Biggs, library board vice president and trustee since 1992, was also re-elected in . Biggs ran unopposed. He’s also the president-elect of the Lindenhurst Kiwanis Club.

"The community's positive response to the library’s July 2011-June 2012 spending plan is a testament to the hard work of our director, Peter Ward, his staff and the men and women who work hard each day for their neighbors,” said Robert Becker, president of the LML board of trustees.

Ward attributed the tax increase – the first in two years – to higher retirement and healthcare costs and lower revenue in the current fiscal year, ending June 30, 2011. The tax increase is expected to cost Lindenhurst homeowners an average of $6 more next year based on an average home assessment of $3,200.

“This budget will allow us to maintain operations here as they are now, and will allow us to continue to do innovative things,” Ward said. “Either way, we’ll do that. But we’re not standing pat. Be prepared for good things to come.”

Voter turnout was light with 211 residents voting yes, and 46 voting no.

Still, Becker is heartened by the support.

“It's encouraging to know that Lindy values the books we've provided, the programs we've featured and the outreach we've made in the past and endorses more for the future," he said.

Here’s how the for July 2011-June 2012 – which was made available at the public budget meeting it held last week – breaks down:

• Operating revenue decreases from $307,003 to $251,900 in the proposed budget.
• Salaries and benefits increase from $3.16 million to $3.22 million.
• Capital improvements increases significantly, from $5,000 to $155,000, to accommodate phase one of the HVAC project designed to make the circa 1969 building more energy-efficient.
• Building operations are decreasing from $266,000 to $250,100.
• Library operations are decreasing from $336,100 to $309,000.
• The cost of library materials and programs decrease from $500,000 to $425,000.