Community votes on proposed 2.4% increase for Oneida Public Library budget
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: March 5, 2013
The Oneida County Public Library's proposed budget includes a 2.4% increase.
On Tuesday, residents in the voting district were able to vote on the budget and if they were in favor of this increase.
Patricia Albaugh, Vice President of the Board of Trustees says the proposed increase is to help pay for rising costs.
She says they can't operate the library with the same money as last year.
"If we don't get our increase then we have to go back to our current budget.....if we don't get more revenue then we'll have to cut services," said Albaugh.
As a regular at the Oneida Public Library, Catherine Dwyer says paying a little extra is worth every penny.
"I wouldn't mind if it was even more," she said.
She uses the library for more than just checking out a book.
"It's also the defensive driving class they have. They have so many other things going on here," said Dwyer.
But at least one resident in the voting district says paying more doesn't benefit him.
"If you don't use it, why pay more for it?" said Joseph Kazlauskas. "I have no use for it. Maybe they ought to have it on a use basis. If you use it a lot you pay more."
Polls are open until 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, residents in the voting district were able to vote on the budget and if they were in favor of this increase.
Patricia Albaugh, Vice President of the Board of Trustees says the proposed increase is to help pay for rising costs.
She says they can't operate the library with the same money as last year.
"If we don't get our increase then we have to go back to our current budget.....if we don't get more revenue then we'll have to cut services," said Albaugh.
As a regular at the Oneida Public Library, Catherine Dwyer says paying a little extra is worth every penny.
"I wouldn't mind if it was even more," she said.
She uses the library for more than just checking out a book.
"It's also the defensive driving class they have. They have so many other things going on here," said Dwyer.
But at least one resident in the voting district says paying more doesn't benefit him.
"If you don't use it, why pay more for it?" said Joseph Kazlauskas. "I have no use for it. Maybe they ought to have it on a use basis. If you use it a lot you pay more."
Polls are open until 9 p.m.
