Community

Debt payments over; library pitches 1.9% tax levy bump

With over $400,000 in debt payments in the rear view, the Riverhead Free Library has proposed a budget for the 2014-2015 year that increases the tax levy on local residents by 1.9 percent.

The $3.5 million spending plan increases costs by 1.5 percent, with revenues expected to drop by 6 percent from $161,000 to $151,000.

Debt payments associated with the library’s most recent expansion started in 1998, and after 15 years, expired last year.

The increase proposed for next year equates to under $3 more per year, per household. Because the library’s district covers three towns — Riverhead, Southampton and Brookhaven — tax rates for each town will not be known until later in the year.

Tonight’s budget hearing will take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m. in the library craft room.

NEWS-REVIEW FILE PHOTO | The Riverhead Free Library's budget hearing is tonight.
NEWS-REVIEW FILE PHOTO | The Riverhead Free Library’s budget hearing is tonight.

RFL Budget