Throughout discussions of the village budget, commissioners and taxpayers have repeatedly raised questions about the library’s $3.96 million property tax levy and $4.2 million budget, which were approved by the board of trustees in August.
Even as the village is contemplating major cuts — two police officers, several community events and the Department of Counseling and Social Services among them — the six-member library board approved a four percent budget increase which includes potential raises of 3.5 percent as part of a multi-year effort to bring staff salaries more in line with those of other libraries.
In all fairness, these actions and the discussions preceding them all took place in public meetings. The board’s longstanding custom of providing an opportunity for public comment on the budget and tax levy found no takers on August 26. Nor did Library Director Christopher Bowen receive a single comment or question from the community about the proposed budget, which was on view in the library’s government documents collection.
But if the library board’s deliberations have been overlooked in the past, that’s likely to change in today’s economic climate where, in the words of Mayor Ron Sandack, “things are different and need to be accomplished differently.”
I wanted to discuss this prospect with Library Board President Stephen Daniels, a veteran of 23 years on the board who was most recently reappointed this fall.
Daniels declined my repeated requests for an interview, suggesting by e-mail that I should consult the state statute — library board members are appointed by the village council, but do not answer to it and the council cannot remove a member of the board, he pointed out — or to take my questions to Bowen.
However, the board is the policy-setting body and, as such, is in the best position to explain the context of its decisions. According to minutes from the January 14 meeting, trustee Dave Humpheys suggested that “when the community is under stress, the library should share the stress.”
On the other hand, Humphreys continued, demand for library use goes up during periods of economic stress. “Both must be balanced in making budgetary decisions.”
Daniels is quoted in those minutes as saying that to make even a symbolic cut to its budget, the library would have to reduce hours. “However, being prudent and careful is important.”
Apparently, the library had resisted adjusting its tax rate in order to reap the windfall of rising property values during the fat years, choosing instead to increase its levy only enough to maintain services. According to the July 22 minutes, the library has planned to increase the property tax levy — the source of about 93 percent of its revenue — by five percent annually.
“This increase has been sufficient to meet the needs of the library and the library has always asked for no more than the amount that is needed to do its work and provide good services,” according to the minutes.
Due to its January to December fiscal year, the library also must carry forward a reserve that amounts to nearly 50 percent of its budget in order to cover operations until the June tax proceeds come in.
It also faces other challenges, including a significant hike in the employer contribution to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
More information may be forthcoming at tonight’s village council workshop meeting, at which Commissioner Bob Barnett, council liaison to the library board, is expected to make a report in response to concerns voiced by other commissioners.
Wrestling with a $4.5 million budget shortfall, the commissioners have occasionally appeared frustrated that the library is increasing its levy by $150,000 while the village slashes programs, jobs and services.
“We appoint people to the board. Maybe we have to look at who we appoint there,” Commissioner Sean P. Durkin told the DGreport.
“People need to ask those questions,” said Commissioner Marilyn Schnell.
I’m trying commissioner. I’m trying.
The library has a good collection of blues and rock cds. Whoever makes those selections knows their stuff.
Time for new blood and ideas on the library board. 23 years is way too long for one person to be appointed and reappointed.
Thanks for your years of services but good bye!!
Despite all the talk of wanting fresh blood and fresh ideas, we keep re-electing and re-appointing the same faces. Same as it ever was. Missed opportunities abound.
Great article. Many of us will not forget the library staff’s cavalier attitude toward safety and disinterest in enforcing it’s own policies. Stonewalling the media seems an odd tactic but is perhaps yet another example of arrogance.
Mr. Humphrey’s comments are sensible and hopefully Mr. Barnett will reinforce the team effort that will be needed to weather the Village through this storm. How about raising fees for non-resident use before you cut hours for tax payers?
As for “significant hike in the employer contribution to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.” Purge the pensions. This ballast is sinking our state, Village and schools.
Just received an email from the village that the increased tax levy is on the dais for upcoming meetings. Now that the cat is out of the bag and in the public, it should go over really well.
I feel for the VC, at least the ones who get it (bare bones core services), but it’s not going to be pretty. Not pretty at all.