Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and eight members of the Erie County Legislature agree on one issue: they don't want the library system turned into a separate taxing district.The Buffalo and Erie County Library board and the two dozen library boards across the county have been studying for years proposals to establish the library as a special district setting its own budget and levying its own taxes.
On Thursday, legislators voted their opposition to the idea.
Lancaster Public Library President Suzanne Jacobs expressed her disappointment over the vote. Jacobs says the plan would ensure that county libraries "have the stability, the financial stability to maintain our services."
Libraries have been the target of budget cuts at times of sagging revenues, often becoming a political issue during campaign season.
Among those opposing the district was Peter Savage III who had just been sworn into office as a legislator, filling the seat vacated by Lynn Marinelli for a district including parts of Buffalo and the Town of Tonawanda.
