November 2026 Ballot Proposition
SHALL THE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE TOWN OF CALEDONIA FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE CALEDONIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BE ESTABLISHED AT THE SUM OF $194,000 DOLLARS ANNUALLY?
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$194,000
Annual Levy Requested
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$0.53
Per $1,000 Assessed Value
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Nov 2026
General Election
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Why the Library Is on the Ballot
The Caledonia Library Association is asking Town of Caledonia residents to establish a dedicated municipal tax levy of $194,000 annually to support library operations. This vote is authorized under New York State Education Law §259, which gives residents the power to vote directly on library funding rather than leaving that decision to the Town Board each year.
The library currently operates on a budget of $179,276, with funding coming from the town, the school district, grants, and donations. These funding streams can increase or decrease from year to year. It makes long-term planning difficult and puts library services at risk whenever one funding source shrinks or disappears.
A voter-approved tax levy replaces that uncertainty with long-term stability. If approved, the $194,000 is collected by the Town and delivered to the library every year. The library levy would not go up automatically. Any future change would require a new vote.
The proposition will appear on the back of your November 2026 General Election ballot. Flip it over and look for the library question. A simple majority of yes votes is needed to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a new tax?
Yes. If the proposition passes, a new dedicated tax levy will appear on Town of Caledonia tax bills to fund the library. What makes this different from most taxes is that the voters are the ones authorizing it. Rather than the Town Board deciding how much or how little to give the library each year, residents vote directly on the amount. You are choosing to invest in your own library.
Why is the library doing this now?
The library currently operates on a budget of $179,276, pieced together each year from school district contributions, town appropriations, grants, and fundraising. That patchwork is unreliable. Inconsistent funding leaves the library unable to plan ahead, hire and retain staff, or consistently meet the needs of the community. A voter-approved tax levy gives the library a stable, predictable foundation. Instead of scrambling for money every year, the Caledonia Library Association can focus on serving you.
Will my taxes go up automatically every year?
No. The $194,000 is fixed until residents vote to change it. Any future change would require starting the petition and ballot process all over again. Voters stay in control.
Will the library board control the tax rate?
No. The library board cannot set or raise taxes. What the board can do is ask voters to consider a funding level through the ballot. The voters decide. If approved, the Town collects the tax and passes the funds to the library.
What will $194,000 actually pay for?
The $194,000 would cover the Caledonia Library Association’s core operating costs: staff, building utilities, materials like books and digital resources, and programs for children, adults, and families. It would replace the current fragmented funding structure with a single, reliable source and give the library room to grow its services to match what the community needs.
How much will this cost me personally?
The estimated tax impact is approximately $0.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home assessed at $150,000, that works out to about $79.50 per year, or roughly $6.63 per month.
What happens if the vote passes?
The Town of Caledonia is required by law to collect and deliver the approved amount to the library each year. The funding remains the same until voters choose to change it through a future ballot measure.
What happens if the vote fails?
The library returns to its current situation, negotiating with the Town Board and school district each year, applying for grants, and soliciting donations to gather enough funding to operate, with no guarantee of stability. Services, hours, and programs would remain at risk.
Who can vote on this?
Any registered voter in the Town of Caledonia can vote on this proposition. It will appear on the regular November 2026 General Election ballot. You can vote during early voting or on Election Day at your regular polling location. The proposition will be on the back of the ballot, so make sure to flip it over.
Key Dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April – May 2026 | Petition drive. Registered Town of Caledonia voters sign a petition to place the proposition on the ballot. |
| June 2026 | Library board votes to formally endorse the petition and transmit it to the Town Clerk. |
| July 2026 | Petitions submitted to the Livingston County Board of Elections for inclusion on the November ballot. |
| September 2026 | Public education campaign launches. Visit this page for updates and materials. |
| October 2026 | Early voting begins. Check with the Livingston County Board of Elections for locations and hours. |
| November 2026 | General Election. Town of Caledonia registered voters cast their ballots. The proposition appears on the back of the ballot. |
Questions?
Reach out to the Caledonia Library Association directly. We are glad to talk with any resident who wants to learn more before heading to the polls.
Contact the LibraryThis page is for educational purposes only. Public funds have not been used to advocate for or against this proposition.