Peninsula Public Library budget vote slated for May 11

The Peninsula Public Library Board of Trustees adopted a 2010-11 budget of $2.5 million that includes a 2.98 percent increase from the current budget. Under the spending plan the tax levy, the total amount to be raised through local property taxes, would rise 2.93 percent. Library officials estimate that if the budget is approved the average District 15 homeowner would see a $5 difference on their tax bill.

Voters in the Lawrence Public Schools will decide the fate of the spending plan on May 11. Peninsula Public Library director Arleen Reo said much of the increase in the budget proposal stems from state mandated expenses. This includes a $55,000 increase in state retirement plan expenses and an $18,000 rise in health insurance costs.

Other increases in the budget will be used to expand services at the library, such as $3,000 more for videos and DVDs, $4,295 for audio and electronic media and $2,500 for programming. The library is also planning to stay open an extra hour on Sundays to accommodate increased patronage demand. “We feel that [these expenses] will enhance our service for the patrons,” said Reo. “We have always been cautious with the library budget but also want to try and provide as much service.”

“As always, the library board is attempting to be respectful of the taxpayers' pocketbooks, especially in these difficult economic times,” said PPL board vice president Joan Lepelstat. “We're attempting to provide the highest quality of service for every tax dollar received.”

Running unopposed for the PPL Board of Trustees on May 11 are Lepelstat and Stanley Nussbaum, who was appointed last year to replace Janet Schneider after she resigned. Lepelstat is seeking a new full five-year term while Nussbaum is running to fill the remaining year of Schneider's unexpired term.

Voting on the proposed Peninsula Public Library budget will take place on May 11 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The five designated voting sites are the Number Two School at 1 Donahue Avenue in Inwood, Number Six School at 523 Church Avenue in Woodmere, Lawrence Middle School at 195 Broadway in Lawrence, Lawrence High School at 2 Reilly Road in Cedarhurst and Atlantic Beach Village Hall.