On November 3rd, 2026, the Millbrook Library will ask residents of the Town of Washington (including the Village of Millbrook) to vote on a ballot proposition. This proposition will ask for an increase in the annual operating budget funding from the current $349,000 to $399,000 to support growth in library services and move toward closing a recurring deficit.
The proposition on the ballot will read:
SHALL THE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE TOWN OF WASHINGTON FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE MILLBROOK LIBRARY BE INCREASED FROM THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE THOUSAND ($349,000) DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO THREE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE THOUSAND ($399,000) DOLLARS ANNUALLY?
FAQ:
What is a library 414 vote?
It refers to Chapter 414 of the New York State Laws of 1995. This is a vote by the public to appropriate municipal tax dollars for the library and its services. Once the amount is approved, it can never be increased without another public vote. The Millbrook Library board last requested an increase in funding in 2024, and past requests were made in 2003 and 2015.
How has the library grown?
The Millbrook Library has been expanding services for more than a decade. The Millbrook Library ranks 2nd out of the 22 Dutchess County libraries in program attendance, with only the Poughkeepsie Public Library District having more program attendees in 2025.
The number of people attending programs at the library has increased by more than 55% in just two years, with a record 15,645 people attending programs in 2025.
Online e-resource circulation has continued to grow, with 10,815 items checked out in 2025 – the most in the library’s history and 20% more than just two years ago.
The library is proud to have strong partnerships with local organizations and to collaborate on multiple programs and services. Some examples include:
- Providing activities for Community Day and the Millbrook Farmers and Makers Market with the Millbrook Business Association
- The Winter Concert Series, the MAP gallery, and multiple children’s programs with the Millbrook Arts Group
- Educational programs with Dutchess County organizations such as the Office for the Aging and the Medical Reserve Corps.
- Our Volunteer Fair with numerous organizations such as the Millbrook Fire Department, Dutchess Land Conservancy, and Angels of Light.
- Our Garden Matters series, in collaboration with the Millbrook Garden Club and Stonewood Farm
- The Millbrook Community Fridge and Pantry, and New Year’s Eve Millbrook, in collaboration with the Millbrook Rotary
- And many more!
How much funding is the library requesting and why?
The library is requesting a $50,000 increase in annual public funding from $349,000 to $399,000.
We rely on this source of funds for the operating budget, including the costs of maintaining staff and operating hours. In addition to covering costs of our operations and inflation, we are working to close the persistent deficit that has been funded by savings and a generous but inconsistent flow of donations since 2018.
If the vote passes, how much will this cost me?
The tax amount is based on the assessed value of your home in the Town of Washington. For example:
To determine your total payment, multiply the assessed value of your property by the multiplier 0.000312681.
How is our library currently funded?
The Millbrook Library is the beneficiary of a generous trust established in 1929. Access to the principal is strictly limited; however, income received from this trust provides approximately 23.8% of our total budget.
Money from the state and federal government (only $1,376 in 2025) and our current 414 funding ($349,000) make up another 41% of our total budget.
Donations typically cover another 10.8%. The remaining 24.4% is covered by grants, operating income, and our cash reserve.
We occasionally receive generous donations from community members that have helped cover the deficit. However, those donations are not a sustainable source of funding and are often restricted to special projects.
How did you come up with the increase of $50,000?
We are embarking on a multiyear effort to close a deficit that has been impacting the library since 2018. $50,000 is a balance between an amount that would make a dent in the deficit, but not create too much of a burden for taxpayers annually.
The increase, as proposed, would represent 41% of our growing operating budget. Dutchess County libraries that serve a population of less than 10,000 people have, on average, 78% of their budgets covered by 414 funds.
How will the money be spent?
The money will be used for library operations, including the purchase of physical and digital materials, programs and events, building maintenance, and computers that reflect the current and future needs of the Millbrook community. The funds will also help us catch up with the inflationary costs that accrued during our 10 years of flat funding.
How do you fund your larger building projects?
The library is currently working on replacing the HVAC system and part of the roof. This proposed funding increase will not cover any of these project costs. Funds to complete this project have been raised through grants, and we have received permission to remove the funds from the principal of our trust (about 10%) to cover the full costs of the project (estimated at over $2 million dollars).
Projects like the repairs to the front porch have been funded by public donations. The Friends of Millbrook Library have fully funded projects like the library’s native garden through public donations. No tax dollars were spent on the garden.
Do my school taxes support the Library?
No. School taxes are completely separate, and the library does not receive any money from the school budget.
Our taxes go up every year – will the library tax automatically go up every year, too?
The library is on a course to close its deficit through incremental increases. The taxpayers will have an opportunity to vote on all future increases in upcoming general elections.
What will happen if this 414 vote fails?
If the 414 vote fails, the library will be forced to reduce staffing, hours, programming, and the purchase of new library materials. Facility maintenance would be deferred. We will not be able to keep providing the level of service the community has come to expect and enjoy.
When and where is the vote? Who can vote?
The vote will be held on November 3rd at the Millbrook Firehouse from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Early voting will be from October 24th to November 1st. Anyone registered to vote in the Town of Washington and the Village of Millbrook can vote.
