Any questions about the Library Levy can be directed to Pauline Emery, Library Director, by calling (607) 936-3713 X 205 or email: emeryp@stls.org
Please make plans to vote* on Tuesday, May 21. Voting hours are from 11 :00 AM to 8:00 PM.
For a list of polling locations go here. If you still have questions about where you should vote, please call Karen Dutcher, District Clerk, at (607) 936-3704 ext. 1001 or email: kdutcher@cppasd.com
*Not sure if you are registered to vote? Need to vote early? All your questions about voting are answered HERE.
The current library levy covers only 58% of the library’s $1.5 million operational budget. The library must cover the remaining 42%. For nine years, the library has only requested incremental increases. Adequate funding is essential to the sustainability of the library. We must plan for the next generation and plan accordingly to ensure we meet the ever-changing service and material needs of our community, the needs of our building, and the preservation of our endowment.
On December 21, 2023, the Southeast Steuben County Library Board voted to place a proposition on the school district ballot to approve a library levy of $1,479,119. This would increase the current library levy from $911,119 to $1,479,119.
A home with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay approximately $52.86 annually. If approved by voters, homeowners would pay about 53 cents per thousand of assessed valuation to support the library.*
*The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation varies across municipal lines according to the Equalization Rates set by the NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment. Tax rates shown apply to homes assessed at full value.
The vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and will appear on the Corning Painted Post School District ballot as a Library Levy.
You can find your polling location here.
The Library will be able to: Meet the demands for materials and services, maintain the building, and preserve the endowment while managing the tax burden.
The school district is required to submit all formal public notices to the local newspaper. The library will publish its request on its website and in the local newspaper.
Yes, Libraries are mandated to comply with tax cap legislation overseen by the State Comptroller’s office under Chapter 97 of the NYS laws of 2011.
The proposition will show the entire request: $1,479,119.
By law, the School Board authorizes the date and location for a public vote. They run the election, provide the required public notices, collect, and disperse the funds.
No, this levy is unrelated to the School District’s funding. This money is for the library, which is a separate entity.
Holding the library vote on another day would be cost prohibitive. State Education Law 259 permits the library to place its proposition before voters on the same ballot as the school district. This provision saves taxpayer dollars. If approved by voters, 100% of the increase will support library operations.
The library levy would then remain at $911,119. The library would be forced to reduce programming and services and would need to rely heavily on its endowment, negatively impacting the library’s future sustainability.