Millbrook Library seeks tax revenue increase

AMENIA — For the first time since 2015, the Millbrook Library is seeking voter approval to increase library funding within the town’s annual budget for FY 2025.

That will appear on ballots in the upcoming November election.

This year’s request is only the third time in the library’s history that the Library Board has asked for voter support, said board member Albert Yoon, during an information session at the library on Friday, Sept. 27. An earlier session had been offered on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

The library is asking for an increase of $165,000 from the current funding level of $184,000 to a new total of $349,000, Yoon said.
To reach as many voters as possible before the Nov. 5 election day, library board members have planned a number of appearances around the village to explain the need and answer questions. Postcards have been sent through the efforts of the Friends of the Library. Residents may also visit the Library display at the Farmers’ Market or speak to any board member.

“Getting the word out,” is a prime focus of the effort, Yoon said.

“At the Millbrook Library, we work to keep our community at the heart of everything we do. Increased reliable funding would help ensure our library continues to serve as a cornerstone of the community for generations to come,” said library director Courtney Tsahalis.

Looking to a regional comparison, Tsahalis indicated that at least five libraries are seeking a funding increase in Dutchess County this year. The Millbrook Library provides library services for the Town of Washington as well as the Village of Millbrook.

During the nine years that have passed since the last increase, Yoon explained, costs have risen, including increased staff and higher pay (including significant rise in minimum wage), increased use of the library by patrons, more programs being offered, including after-school and those for adults, utility costs and operating expenses for the historic 15,000 square foot building.

“We want to rely less on donations,” Yoon explained. Although the history of donations has been generous, Yoon said, donation totals fluctuate. This year, donations cover 12.3% of the budget. Yoon said that the library would prefer to see donations be project-oriented, rather than to be counted upon for day-to-day operations.

“We are doing what the community is asking us to do,” Yoon said, reviewing the expansion of services to include technology and growing digital circulation.

To place the requested increase in perspective, Yoon estimated that for a home assessed at $250,000, the taxpayer would pay a total of $73.99 annually for library services, an increase of $34.98, if the proposition passes.

For more information about the budget request, go to www.millbrooklibrary.org.