September 2008 Public Budget Hearing

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Attendance
Board Members Present: Penny Austin, Stephen Moberly, Randy Paul, Fred Risinger, Janice Stockton, and John Walsh. Absent: Dave Ferguson.
Staff
Pat Combs, Bonnie Estell, Margaret Harter, Chris Jackson, Sara Laughlin, Sue Sater, Kathy Starks-Dyer, Bara Swinson, Michael White.
Others

Tom Bunger, Antonia Matthew, Mercy Rodriguez, Steve Higgs, Andy Ruff, and Ned Powell.

Call to Order

President John Walsh called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

2009 Budget

Sara Laughlin presented an overview of the 2009 budget, including $6,994,610 in Operating Fund (about 62% from property taxes, 28% from county option tax, and the remainder from vehicle excise taxes, fines and fees, etc.), $220,000 LIRF Fund, $323,200 Rainy Day Fund, $482,075 Library Capital Projects Fund, and $1,996,000 Debt Service Fund, for a total of $10,015,885.  Sara Laughlin noted that the Library Capital Projects Fund has already been approved by the County Council.  The LIRF Fund is money set aside from operating budgets current and past.  The Rainy Day Fund includes funds received from unexpected sources, such as unexpected COIT revenue.  The Debt Service Fund is the mortgage payment fund.  Sara noted that the overall increase in the budget is 4%.  She also noted that Personnel Services, comprising about 70% of the operating fund, shows the largest percentage increase over 2008 (5.5%).  The materials budget (about 15% of the operating fund) will increase by 3.3%. 

John Walsh asked whether the materials budget increase is the first one in recent years. 

Sara believed it was the first one in four years.

Randy Paul read a statement from the Notice to the Public pertaining to the public’s right to object to the budget.  He asked attorney Tom Bunger to explain the process.  Mr. Bunger explained that it is a very public process.  The Notice to the Public was the notification of public hearing for the budget.  Ten or more taxpayers may object to the budget by filing an objecting petition within seven days after this hearing.  The petition must specifically identify the items being objected to. The library must then include findings when the budget is submitted.  The petition will result in an additional hearing before the Department of Local Government and Finance (DLGF).

Randy Paul addressed the idea of County Council review of the library budget and his understanding of the recent legislative changes that require County Council approval of appointed board budgets if the budget increases beyond the Assessed Value Growth Quotient (AVGQ).  He felt that administration’s recommendation at the previous work session to encumber funds for the HVAC system and for an architect for library renovation rather than rolling over into next year’s budget accelerates spending in order to avoid review by County Council.  The encumbrances put the 2009 budget under the level where it would not require line-by-line review by the Council.  Mr. Paul felt that the changes are not cuts but rather accelerating spending to avoid line-by-line County Council review.  He felt it would be irresponsible spending and would reinforce public perception that tax dollars are not being spent wisely.  He felt that a strong budget presented to the County Council would receive a favorable review.  He felt that the library board had not been receptive to comments and input from the public, citing public comments/suggestions regarding hiring legal representation for union negotiations and his own motion to table the action.  He felt that the elected County Council was the only place where the public could be heard.

Public Comment

Antonia Matthew commented that people do care about the budget.  She stated she was impressed with the way administration and staff prepared the budget; felt it seemed to be a fair budget; that supported staff with pay and health insurance.  She stated that the budget was somewhat overwhelming for her but not because it had not been accessible.  She thought perhaps a future program for the public explaining how the budget was put together might be helpful to the community.

Andy Ruff stated that he has followed the board through the media and personal acquaintances.  He thanked the board for serving but felt that appointed boards and elected boards have different levels of accountability.  He shared board member Randy Paul’s concerns for accountability and community input.

Ned Powell stated his belief that the $80,000 ($380/hour) budgeted amount for an attorney for union negotiations was fiscally irresponsible and outrageous.  He suggested that management contact a library which had handled union negotiations without attorney representation citing a previous statement that six libraries had been contacted, five of whom had worked with an attorney.  He reiterated Randy Paul’s statement that the union should not bring in a negotiator and suggested that management negotiate in good faith without an attorney.  Mr. Powell asked what line in the budget contained the $80,000 amount. 

Randy Paul commented that Mr. Powell and nine other people could petition against the budget. 

Penny Austin provided the line item number: 3130.

President John Walsh thanked the board and public for their comments.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.