Home > About the Library > Board of Trustees Minutes > August 2007 Public Budget Work Session
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
John Anderson, David Ferguson, Karen Franks, John Irvine, Antonia Matthews, Valerie Merriam, Eric Most and Janet Patterson, and Leah Shopkow.
President Steve Moberly called the meeting to order at 6:46pm in Program Room 2A.
Steve announced this is the Budget work session, and the only agenda item is the 2008 Budget. In last week's meeting Steve asked for information to be prepared for tonight's work session. per his suggestion of a cost of living raise at 3% and an increment of 1%. As the Board reviewed the sheet of information before them, Steve stated that we do not have funds for the cost. Steve suggested that we do a 3% across the board raise, which would come to a cost of $133,509. (Bonnie said it actually would be $122,762).
Discussion followed regarding the budget: COLA, Rainy Day fund, and expenses of expenditures on salaries.
Steve asked if we can get a sense from the Board on what Board of Trustees are thinking. Linda Hunt said she has concerns about what the Board has discussed before we present the budget for a vote at next Board meeting. Linda talked about the salary structure and living wage.
Randy Paul stated "I read once a statement that said, don't tell me your values show me your budget. If we tried to live one week like a person that makes $9 an hour we would understand how difficult it is to live. To delay it on a study, I think it is cruel."
Linda said that she supports a living wage, but looking at everything else, we need to have an understanding of how it impacts everything; all the way up through the structure.
Steve acknowledged Randy's comments in last week's meeting about reversing the decision on the Board from last year. Randy replied, "I pass on that".
Steve asked if there were other matters on the budget the Board would like to discuss.
Discussion followed about classification changes, CATS funding (we have moved CATS costs into our operating fund), staff raises (3% straight across with no increment), the number of staff who make under $10, staff parking costs, and discussion on the living wage, which included the suggestion of hiring a consultant to study our staff, their job descriptions, and compare to other trends.
At the end of discussion Steve asked if any one from the audience wished to address the Board.
John Anderson spoke to the Board regarding the materials budget, personnel cuts, and incentives for library workers.
Valerie Merriam spoke to the Board about the living wage, a recent library focus group she attended at IVY Tech, and her concerns about the problem we have relating to staff. Valerie stated "I think you have a problem here. It has gotten very, very serious. You need to listen to your staff. When staff tell people they don't feel they can speak out, for fear of repercussion that's a problem. When you hear about people being yelled at privately, that's a problem." Valerie encouraged the Board to give staff an ear and listen to what they are saying.
Dory Lynch spoke to the Board about the living wage. Dory stated "I think a lot of people would support a living wage". I think it is something that would save the library money and would make staff happy.
John Irvine spoke to the Board about his concerns of having a study done by a consultant, stating that it would cost more than what the living wage would be. He also expressed his opinion that the Board of Trustees and the Administration has gone to hell in a hand basket.
Bara Swinson stated that she would have liked to have heard discussion on choosing straight raise vs. an increment. Bara explained her concerns about not offering an increment, and gave an example of what happens when a person is hired, and gets the same pay as a current staff person."
David Ferguson spoke to the Board and acknowledged his appreciation to John Anderson on the comments he made to the Board. David said, "In the library, the materials budget is always at the bottom. I always wish we had more money for materials. I want to speak in favor of that. Another thing I would like to see money spent on is to help see adult literacy numbers raise. I don't know where we are at on that. It seems like if we are looking at how to serve the public, we need to think about how to serve those folks with literacy needs."
Eric Most spoke and thanked all the members of the Board for your efforts, particularly Randy for talking with staff. Eric said he doesn't think there is any one person at fault, with library problems, and thinks the Board needs to do what they can do to enhance the staff. Eric stated "What you pay the staff translates into what you can do for the public because the library is the staff." Eric also spoke briefly about the Rainy Day Fund and LIRF. Eric encouraged the Board to consider using some of the money in the Rainy Day Fund to help pay for some of the increment costs
The meeting adjourned at 7:04pm.
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3050
Updated:
September 7, 2007
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200708bud.html
