What is Proposition 3?
Proposition 3 asks the voters of the Avon Central School District to approve an annual levy of $55,000 (increased from $30,000) to be allocated to the Avon Free Library. The proposition will appear as a separate line on the school district’s May 18, 2010 ballot. The money will be collected by the school district as part of the property tax in September and turned over to the public library. The amount paid to the library will also appear as a separate item on property owners’ school tax bills.
How does this affect you?
Although any tax increase is unpleasant, the amount the average Avon property owner will pay to support the library if Proposition 3 is approved is not large when compared to other educational and recreational services.
If you own a house assessed for $100,000, your new annual bill for unlimited library services will be approximately $15.00. This amount is less than the cost of most new books. For example, the latest Stephen King novel was listed for $35.00 and a recent paperback by Nora Roberts sold for $16.00. If you subscribe to broadband internet access at home, you know that it can cost as much as $35.00 per month.
Why is the Library Board requesting voter approval of the Proposition for $55,000?
If the library is to continue to provide the Avon community with the quality of services it deserves and has come to expect, additional revenues are needed. This increase – the first requested since 1996 – will help the library offset government cutbacks, the growing costs of materials, staff, and operating expenses such as utilities and building maintenance. These funds will enable the library to offer improved services.
Housed in a lovely, historically significant building in our community, the library needs the continued support of the Avon community to keep it flourishing.
Where and when is the vote?
When: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m.
Where: Avon Middle School
