Vote Tuesday September 15, noon-7 p.m.
The Rosendale Library is seeking a minor increase in tax funding for the library for the 2027 budget. The tax levy for 2026 was $391,650. The proposed tax levy for 2027 will be $410,800. This is a 4.89% increase, less than $5 per year for a property assessed at $150,000. The 2027 proposed budget can be found on the library’s website and on the reverse side of this sheet.
The increase in the library’s budget is necessary in order to comply with the state minimum wage increase which will be announced October 1. Health insurance costs rose in 2026 by 14% and will rise by 19% in 2027. Other factors include the high cost of e-books and streaming services, loss of federal grants, and a 15% increase in fees we pay to the library system. The library’s staff and board of trustees have trimmed costs while delivering exceptional services. The budget prioritizes maintaining up-to-date collections including newspapers, electronic equipment, and retaining a highly qualified staff. Our library is known for its exceptional educational programs and other public services. The Friends of the Library work tirelessly to raise funds to support programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, purchasing much-needed equipment such as wifi access points, paying for hotspot data plans, and contributing to the up-front costs of the construction project. The total operating budget for 2027 will be $453,800 which includes $20,000 from the library’s capital reserve fund for professional services related to the construction project.
Trustee Information
There are four openings on the board. Incumbents Carl Welden and Justin Peone are running for re-election. Neal Campbell and Robert Lee were appointed to the board in July 2026 to fill unexpired terms. There are two full four-year terms, a term ending December 31, 2027, and a term ending December 31, 2028 available. The candidate who gains the highest number of votes will occupy one four-year term, and the person with the second highest number of votes will occupy the other four-year term. The candidate with the third highest number of votes will occupy the term ending December 31, 2028.
Absentee Ballots
Applications for absentee ballots can be downloaded from the library’s website or picked up at the library. Please follow the instructions on the application. A completed application must be received by the Rosendale Library at least seven days before the vote (Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by 5 p.m.) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or by the day before the vote (Monday, September 14, 2026, by 5 p.m.) if the ballot is to be personally picked up at the Library. The completed ballot must be returned to the Library no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the vote (Tuesday, September 15, 2026).