2025 Library Budget Vote Q & A
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the Library’s H. Dutcher Community Room, residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District who are registered voters will vote on the Library’s proposed FY2025-26 Budget, and elect two Library Trustees. There will be a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
The 2025 Library Budget and Trustee Vote – Questions & Answers
When will the library vote be held?
The vote will be held on Thursday, April 24,2025, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the library’s H. Dutcher Community Room. Information about absentee ballots is available from the Library District Clerk, at 518-584-7860, extension 264, or at the library between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. At 7 p.m. on Monday, April 21st, there will be a public hearing on the proposed budget in the H. Dutcher Community Room.
Who can vote?
Any Saratoga Springs City School District resident who is a registered voter is eligible to vote.
What are we voting for?
- Budget: The public will be voting on a proposition to collect $5,443,458 in school district property taxes in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 to operate the Saratoga Springs Public Library. This is
a 1.5% increase over FY2024-25. - Trustees: There are two candidates for two vacancies on the Library’s Board of Trustees. Terence Diggory and Heather Crocker, both of Saratoga Springs, are running for re-election.
What happens if the budget doesn’t pass?
Unlike public school budgets, the law does not allow for any changes if the budget is defeated, and unless the library board decides to hold a second budget vote (highly unlikely), the library would
still receive the same amount appropriated in FY 2024-2025. Should the proposed budget not pass, the library board will decide what budget lines and services will be reduced or reallocated.
What will be happening in the coming year?
FY2025-26 will mark the 30th anniversary of the present library building, and the 75th anniversary of the Saratoga Springs Public Library charter. Plans for commemorating these milestones are currently underway, with announcements to come. The year will also begin with the unveiling of a new strategic plan continuing our focus on four areas: universal accessibility, and the library as a place, a community convener, and a community leader.
In the area of accessibility, the new fiscal year will start with the removal and replacement of the aging elevator, which is anticipated to begin in July and be completed in mid-November. Library staff are currently strategizing how to accommodate library workers and visitors who rely on the elevator for access to the collections and services on the Library’s second floor and lower level, including plans for retrieving materials, temporarily relocating programs, and continuing to expand our outreach services. With staff and services anticipated to temporarily relocate to the first floor, the Friends Coffee Shop will temporarily suspend activity for the duration of construction.
Even with the challenge of being without the elevator for much of the coming year, we anticipate that the library will continue to be a hub of community activity, program attendance will continue to grow, and use patterns for the various formats we make available will continue to evolve.
The complete budget proposal can be found here.