HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 25, 2006 Budget Minutes
LIBRARY BOARD/CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET MEETING
October 25, 2006
6:30 P.M.
The joint City Council/Library Board meeting on the proposed library budget for 2007
was held at Murzyn Hall on October 25, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. Those present were: Walt Fehst,
Barbara Miller, Bill Elrite, Patricia Sowada, Catherine Vesley, Mayor Gary Peterson, Bruce
Nawrocki, Tami Ericson-Diehm, Bruce Kelzenberg, and Rebecca Loader.
Mayor Gary Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m.
Barb Miller, Library Board Chair, welcomed everyone. She turned the meeting over to
Becky Loader for the power point slide show presentation.
The Power Point presentation was narrated by Becky Loader and highlighted the 5 major
areas of the budget.
The minimum local support level for 2007 is $588,897.00, which is equal to the budget
from 2005. Maintenance of Effort was reviewed. Based on the requested levy for 2007 the per
capita figures for Columbia Heights would be $27.25.
1. “Personnel” slide was reviewed. All contracts are settled for 2007. 13 of 17
employees participate in PERA. Major changes were reviewed.
2. “Supplies” budget was reviewed. The Board is requesting a 5.11% increase for 2007.
Line items that were increased, those that remained the same and those eliminated
were all reviewed.
3. “Other Services and Charges” budget was reviewed. The Board is requesting a
16.13% increase for 2007. Slide included information regarding line items increased,
which were mostly utilities. Line items eliminated were also reviewed.
4. “Capital” was reviewed. Line item has been decreased by 50%.
5. “Contingencies and Transfers” were reviewed. An increase of $346 is requested for
Operating Transfer Out. No contingencies are requested for 2007.
The overall increase in expenditures for 2007 is 3.87%.
This concluded the formal presentation and the floor was opened for questions.
Councilmember Nawrocki voiced his objection to the Power Point presentation. Mr. Nawrocki
had questions/comments in the following areas: Use of General Fund and Public Works money
for work that has been done at the Library. Who paid the assessment on the street repairs that
were completed this year? Why is Expert and Professional Service line item under spent? Per
Capita would decrease if Columbia Heights became part of the County system.
Response
: The County per capita amount of $20.93 is for Operating only it does not include
their capital improvement budget. The Mayor and Board have met with Anoka County previously
and no financial savings and/or interest could be determined. The City Manager suggested
checking the figures about per capita and the financial savings. Bill Elrite replied that he would
research information concerning these items. Expert and Professional Services are under spent
because the contract with Anoka County has not been settled as of this meeting. The increased
costs of the new Integrated Library System (ILS) have not been implemented.
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Mayor Gary Peterson asked about the cost of memberships to the American Library Association
(ALA) and the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) for staff. He would like to see the
expenses for professional memberships added to the budget. Barbara Miller mentioned that staff
has not attended the ALA convention in a number of years. Gary Peterson concurred about the
importance of keeping up professionally with your peers and would like to see that put back into
the budget.
Catherine Vesley and Tami Diehm made comments about the success of WiFi, keeping our media
current, and the positive impact the library makes in the community.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanine M. Schmidt, Secretary to the Library Board of Trustees.
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or
access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request,
accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of
Columbia Heights’ services, programs, and activities.
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