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Council OKs change to library funding
6/6/2012 9:55:21 AM
Splash Staff Writer
The Liberty Lake City Council adopted proposed amendments to an ordinance establishing the library's funding Tuesday, providing more predictable funding for the department in future budgets. Yet to be decided: Whether the change will be back-applied to the 2012 budget, a move Library Director Pamela Mogen said could open the library to patrons on Mondays.
The amendments were proposed to the Council in the May 15 meeting, with then-Interim City Administrator Mike Cecka saying they would address a number of goals, one being a conceptual connection between library funding and the property tax, based on the original 50 cents per $1,000 rate.
According to the ordinance, the initial appropriation amounted to 23.8 percent of the city's total property tax levy rate. Therefore, 23.8 percent is the proposed ratio for future budgets. Of that amount, 3 percent would cover capital expenses and another 3 percent would cover administrative overhead costs.
Had the policy been in place during planning for the current budget, the library budget would have increased by $54,736, according to a memo from Cecka to the Council. If the Council decides to prorate those funds for 2012, the library looks to gain as much as $31,929.
The vote to approve the ordinance on Tuesday was made with little discussion, but Stevenson said a proposed budget amendment to apply funds to the current budget might be presented for Council review at a future meeting.
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Should the library budget see any gains to its current budget, Mogen said the plan would be to bump the adult services librarian to full time and increase clerk hours. With those adjustments, she said she hoped to add six hours of weekly operation to be open on Mondays.
The Council approved the ordinance amendment Tuesday by suspending procedural rules to expedite the issue through to a second read and on to an ultimate vote on its future. The ordinance amendment was passed unanimously.
Revisions to the proposal included Council removal of two clauses, one of which stated the Council could reduce the library funding to a lower rate during periods of financial stress - as defined by a projected 5 percent decline in projected revenue. The second clause struck from the proposal stated that when property tax increased by more than 5 percent by the end of the budget, the Council would have authority to determine the best appropriation of the windfall - and whether it would even go to the library.
When proposing the changes, Council Member and finance committee member Cris Kaminskas said other sections of the amendment better defined times of financial stress and windfall.
The clause Kaminskas pointed to says the Council may revoke or recall any portion of the library's appropriations, so long as it is determined in the best interest of the city and is done so by ordinance.
The Council also heard reports from city department heads with updates to respective departments.
Planning and Development Director Doug Smith said progress on plans for a roundabout at Harvard Road and Mission Avenue have progressed through discussions with the state department of transportation. He said both entities are working on a project agreement, and current negotiations are setting the city up in a favorable position.
He also addressed enforcement of signage codes and asked the Council to consider regulations for street vendors.
Finance Director R.J. Stevenson said he was preparing for early 2013 budget work. A public hearing will be held in mid-July to gather input on financial priorities for the city.
Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus reported a rash of illegal door-to-door soliciting in the city, which has been handled with citations. He encouraged residents to report solicitors to the police department.
Asmus also said six officers would be patrolling the city on Saturday for the Liberty Lake Community Yard Sales. Four officers will be out on bikes, and two others will be in patrol cars. In addition, he said barricades will be placed at important intersections to prevent visibility issues.
Mogen reported the library was gearing up for its summer reading program, with registration kicking off June 16. This year, the program will be extended to eight weeks.
City Administrator Katy Allen, in her second day on the job, thanked several people who she said assisted in a smooth transition into her position.