Bath Central School District voters on June 2 soundly rejected a proposition that would have doubled the tax levy for the Dormann Public Library.
The measure, which would have increased the library levy from $382,699 to $765,399, was defeated 546-208.
Had voters approved the hike, the library tax bill on property assessed at $100,000 would have gone from about $55.23 per year to approximately $110.46 annually.
Library officials had called the sharp increase “a one-time step to address current financial realities.”
In a statement posted on social media following the vote tabulations, the library said the proposition’s defeat “will unfortunately result in reductions to programs and services, among other things.”
The statement said the library will continue to offer “the very best it can with the funds it has.”
“This is going to look different, but it won’t be a complete closure,” the library stated.
Officials said said turnout for the proposition dwarfed the voting numbers from recent years.
The Leader has reached out to library officials for additional comment and next steps.
Reasons for the proposed hike in tax levy
Library officials attributed the proposed tax levy hike to rising operating costs and diminishing charitable gifts. The library board, which sent the levy increase to voters, said the Dormann has used its reserve fund to cover basic maintenance, utilities, wages and insurances.
“These changes are not sustainable and will leave our endowment depleted if the library does not receive more public support from the community,” the Dormann said in a budget information sheet. “Our library needs to increase its tax levy to continue to operate to the standards our community and our patrons have come to expect.”
Dormann Library: Community use on upswing
Library officials said the facility is experiencing an increase in community use, with higher demand for public computers, Wi-Fi and other technology.
In 2025, according to the library, the Dormann held 595 programs which were attended by 5,259 people, up from 4,745 in 2024.
Additionally, nearly 30,000 items were borrowed by more than 4,000 patrons with active library cards, the library said.
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This article originally appeared on The Leader: Bath voters overwhelmingly reject Dormann Library tax levy hike
Reporting by Neal Simon, Corning Leader / The Leader
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