Libraries propose ballot question funding model

The three Bedford libraries are placing a joint funding proposition on the November ballot.

By JEFF MORRIS

In an effort to establish a more reliable, long-term funding method, the three Bedford libraries are joining together to present a proposition to voters that would remove library funding from the town’s operating budget.

The three libraries — Bedford Free Library, Bedford Hills Free Library, and Katonah Village Library — gave a joint presentation to the Bedford Town Board on Sept. 4 to introduce the proposal.

Their plan is to place a proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot in order to have voters decide whether to move forward with the new funding model.

In advance of that vote, the libraries will hold a public information session Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the Bedford Hills Community House.

Terrie Paladino, president of the Bedford Hills Free Library board of trustees, outlined the proposal.

“We’re here because our three libraries have come together to ask for direct funding from the residents of Bedford, similar to the funding process of our school district, or the EMS and the fire department,” she said. “This request will appear as a proposition on the ballot this November, and if it is approved by the voters, it will provide guaranteed annual funding to our libraries, replacing the current town funding, the amount of which has historically been set at the discretion of the Town Board.”

Paladino said voter approval will mean the libraries and residents will benefit from a stable, sustainable and reliable source of funding each year “consistent with the service demand of our residents, which have been increasing in each of the three libraries year on year.”

According to materials provided by the proposition’s supporters, in 2024 the three Bedford libraries welcomed 126,840 visitors, circulated 216,122 items, presented 1,809 events and instructional sessions, and hosted 33,935 event and instructional participants.

Scott Harrison, president of the Bedford Free Library, provided background on library funding history. He said right now the majority of funding for the town libraries comes from the town as a discretionary allocation, but local government contributions have been low compared to other Westchester County libraries and low compared to inflation. The town had to tighten its purse strings after the 2008 financial crisis, he said, which resulted in library budgets being cut; from 2008 to 2013 local government contributions were either declining or stagnant, though inflation continued. After 2013, increases in funding occurred relative to a lower baseline, and beginning in 2012, tax caps imposed on municipalities by the state limited the town’s funding resources. 

Harrison noted that while library funding from the town of Bedford — currently, the three libraries receive a combined total of $1,788,845 in annual operating funds — sits at about 76% of operating expenses, the average for Westchester libraries excluding Bedford is 94%. He showed that this discrepancy exists despite the fact that operating expenses for Bedford libraries, whether measured per visitor, per holdings, or per square foot, are lower than most other libraries in the county.

Harrison said the change in funding will benefit residents, allowing the libraries to grow and expand their offerings and do more than just “keep the lights on.”

Paladino said residents will see immediate improvements, including extended hours at Katonah Village Library; enhanced space and access at Bedford Free Library; advancement of the facility improvement project at Bedford Hills Free Library; and expanded programs for children, teens and adults at all locations.

The actual proposition that will appear on the ballot states that the town will establish an annual contribution to the libraries of $2,628,845, with $810,058 going to the Bedford Hills Free library, $766,999 to the Bedford Free Library, and $1,051,788 to the Katonah Village Library. The supporting materials for the ballot proposition say the proposed 2026 budget will increase residential property tax rates by $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of $97 per year for the median residential property. The median residential assessed value in Bedford is approximately $70,000, which is equivalent to a market value of $862,100.

Town Board member Bobbi Bittker asked whether the status of the libraries would change from association to municipal. Paladino said everything would remain the same; the only thing that changes is the Town Board would no longer have to figure out yearly appropriations as part of the town’s budget process. Bittker also asked whether it would affect the town’s budgeting and tax cap calculations. Town Comptroller Brian Kenneally replied that, as he understood it, it is a “change in business component” and would be subtracted out of the tax cap calculation. 

“I believe that’s the case, but I will confirm it 100%,” he said.

Harrison said he looked at it as moving to how the schools and the fire departments are funded, but Bittker clarified that it did not create a new taxing district, it just makes the library funding independent of the town budget. Town Supervisor Ellen Calves added that going forward, any time the libraries wanted an increase, they would have to go back to the voters with a new referendum. Paladino confirmed that the level of funding in the proposition “is guaranteed in perpetuity, but should we require another level due to increases in cost” they would have to get approval from voters. 

Calves noted that many libraries have moved to town-run municipal libraries, but this would be an in-between model with three independent association libraries — which Bittker said was already an unusual model, with only six or seven association libraries existing in the whole county. Calves said this model will provide much more transparency and clarity on the libraries’ budgets, as they will need to go directly to voters for approval.

In advance of the Sept. 18 information session, the libraries have established a web page with background, FAQs, and a link for additional questions at bedfordlibrariesballotvote.info.