Voters approve 17-18 library budgets for Riverhead, Baiting Hollow

Voters on Tuesday approved Riverhead Free Library’s proposed 2017-18 budget, remaining under New York State’s tax cap at a tax levy increase of 1.03 percent.

The budget, which the library reported received 148 votes for and 88 opposed, poses a $84,316 increase in spending over last year’s plan, with overall spending raised through taxes at $3.75 million.

Due to an increase in health insurance costs, personnel costs comprise $2.75 million in the approved budget, a 1.6 percent increase over the previous year.

The proposed budget also includes $399,700 for library materials including books, an 8 percent increase over this year.

Voters also approved the budget for the Baiting Hollow Library with 141 yes votes compared to 94 no.