Budget hearing May 27
By Mark Bialczak
LPL Communications Specialist
Everybody who worked to draft and approve the Liverpool Public Library 2020-21 budget kept these challenging times and district taxpayers in mind.
Board of Trustee members said as the budget proposal was passed on Wednesday, March 6, that this has been a special year for the library and the community it serves. The renovation of the LPL’s main room, lobby and Children’s Room came in under budget. The transformation was well received; patrons appreciated the streamlined one-desk service points, new business center, comfortable seating arrangements and new small meeting rooms.
The renovation also resulted in cost savings because of a more energy efficient building and the ability to streamline staffing due to the central desk, savings passed on to the taxpayer.
In March came the stay-at-home orders from state and county government and the closure of all county libraries.
As they discussed the budget proposal before passing it on March 6, the trustees decided to further figure expected savings from the closed doors into next year’s budget, keeping taxpayers in mind.
When registered voters open ballots they’ll receive in the mail for the June budget vote, they’ll see a 2020-21 Liverpool Public Library line total of $4,139,800, for a tax impact of 1%.
Director Glenna Wisniewski and her staff worked hard to keep the total trim. Last year’s budget included a tax impact of 2%.
“The Board of Trustees approved a budget which reflects the board’s fiduciary commitment to the LPL while understanding our community is in crisis,” said Board President Denise Baker. “We remain committed to providing high quality services and programming which supports the needs and meets the expectations of our community.”
“When I was first elected to the town board of the town of Clay way back in 1975, the supervisor told the board members the budget was their most significant responsibility because it sets priorities and spending limits for the municipality. The same is true for other taxpayer–funded public entities. The Library Board of Trustees approved a budget that provides funding for patron services and programs (approximately two-thirds of the budgeted expenses) and for the necessary, cost efficient operation, maintenance, and administration of the library,” said Board Vice President Donald MacLaughlin. “The budget is, therefore, the bridge between the Library and the community. This budget enables the library to continue to provide quality programs and services that the community has come to expect from their local library in a modern, functional, and accessible space.”
Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in the Liverpool Central School District with a stamped, addressed enveloped.
Ashley Gouger will be running for a five-year term on the LPL Board of Trustees. Gouger was appointed to fill a vacant seat served on board in November, 2019. Other candidates may be on the ballot. The deadline to register for the seat was May 11 after the deadline for this publication.
The public hearing for the budget will take place at a special monthly LPL Board of Trustees Meeting, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. The meeting will be held virtually. Interested community members can register at LPL.org to attend.
