Each year, the Library holds an election for approval of the upcoming fiscal year’s tax levy to fund the Library and to fill any vacancies on Library's Board of Trustees.  All registered voters of the Warwick Valley Central School District are eligible to vote.  (The Library’s budget also includes income from other sources including grants, gifts, interest and Library fees.  Such income is not subject to the vote.) 

A public hearing was held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Library for taxpayers to ask questions about the proposed budget and tax levy.  The vote itself was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the Library from 9:00am-9:00pm.  The items on the ballot were the tax levy for the proposed FY 2019/2020 Library Operating Budget and two Library Trustees.

1.    Current 2018/2019 and Estimated FY 2019/2020 Tax Rates/Thousand for Library’s Operating Levy
2.    How to Calculate Your Tax for the 2019/2020 Library Operating Levy
3.    Voter Registration Information
4.    Absentee Ballot Information
5.    Trustee Election Information
6.    Legal Notice of Library Vote
7.    Proposed FY 2019/2020 Library Operating Budget with FY 2018/2019 Comparison

1.    2018/2019 and Estimated FY 2019/2020 Tax Rates*/Thousand for Library Operating Levy

Current Rates for FY 2018/2019 (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)

Warwick -- $4.02/$1,000 assessed value
Chester -- $0.96/$1,000 assessed value

Estimated* rates proposed for FY 2019/2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020)

Warwick -- $4.11/$1,000 of assessed value
Chester -- $0.98/$1,000 of assessed value

* Tax rates for the proposed Library operating levy are estimated based on current assessment values and equalization rates.  There are different rates for Warwick and Chester homes in the Warwick Valley Central School District because homes are assessed differently in these two towns.  Warwick homes are typically assessed at less than 25% of market value, while Chester homes are assessed closer to market value.  However, in both areas, library tax rates are based on assessed value, not market value.

2.    How to Calculate Your Tax for the FY2018/2019 Library Operating Levy; How to Find Your Previous Years' Local Tax Bills

Based on the estimated FY 2019/2020 tax rates, a family with a home in Warwick assessed at $50,000 would pay a Library operating tax of $205.50. That’s an increase of $4.50 a year.  A family with a home in Chester assessed at $200,000 would pay a Library operating tax of $196.00 a year.  That’s an increase of $4.00 a year.

Examples:
If the assessed value of your property in Warwick is $50,000, you would divide that number by 1,000.  The result is 50, and 50 multiplied by $4.11 is $205.50.  Your 2019/2020 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $205.50. 

If the assessed value of your property in Chester is $200,000, you would divide that number by 1,000.  The result is 200, and 200 multiplied by $0.98 is $196.00.  Your 2019/2020 tax for the operating expenses of the Library would be $196.00.

3.    Voter Registration Information

Residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District who are registered to vote may participate in Library elections.  Voter registration for Library votes is held at the Warwick Valley Central School District Office on West Street Extension in Warwick Monday through Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm, excluding School District holidays.

4.    Absentee Ballot Information

Absentee ballot applications may be submitted to the Library.  For the ballot to be mailed to the voter, applications must have been received by Albert Wisner Public Library at least seven days before the April 2, 2019 vote.  For the ballot to be handed in person to the voter, the application was due one day before the vote. 

A list of all people who have requested an absentee ballot is available for inspection at the Library five days prior to the vote, and also is posted at the Library during the hours of the vote.

5.   Trustee Election Information

There were two Trustee positions on the April 2, 2019 ballot.  Colleen Larsen and Amanda Tarallo were appointed in February 2019 to fill two unexpired terms, both of which end on June 30, 2019.  Ms. Larsen and Ms. Tarallo were both elected to a full 5-year term, which will begin July 1, 2019.

Library Trustees are elected to serve a five (5) year term of office.  Persons wishing to stand for election as Trustee must return to the Library a petition with at least 25 signatures of residents of the Warwick Valley Central School District.  This year's petition deadline was Friday, March 1, 2019 at 5:00pm.

Trustee Petition Memo
Trustee Petition
Trustee Statement of Campaign Expense

6.  Legal Notice of Library Vote

7.  Proposed FY 2019/2020 Library Operating Budget with FY 2018/2019 Comparison