Librarian Dan Robles told the trustees that the budget would be supplemented with grants and some projects “might be Community Development Block Grant,” eligible, although the library missed this year’s funding cycle applications. “There are alternate ways to meet our three year priorities,” using creative funding.The targets for the second and third year funding cycles would be providing comparable pay to the library’s employees by initiating a 7 percent pay increase, restoring FLAIR funding to the 2001 level, computer and hardware upgrades, earthquake retrofitting, improving the lighting system and sprucing up the South 8th Street building’s exterior and interior. Funds would also be available for a lot split of the library’s unused north side property for possible sale, among other expenditures.Trustees also flirted with the idea of creating a budget reserve, an almost impossible task given BCL’s approximately $475,000 annual budget.“We’re only limited to what can go into the reserve by reality,” said Trustee Dr. Dora Crouch.BCL trustees crafted the spending plan at the request of the City Council which turned down the library’s request for an endorsement of the measure until they saw how the funds would be allocated. The council’s request came after BCL trustees declined to be taken over by the city, although trustees recently said they would like to address the issue again with the city in April.
Blanchard Community Library trustees craft Measure B4 spending plan
February 11, 2004
Santa Paula News
Blanchard Community Library Trustees have crafted a spending plan for the approximately $112,500 in added revenue they anticipate will be okayed by voters next month.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesBlanchard Community Library Trustees have crafted a spending plan for the approximately $112,500 in added revenue they anticipate will be okayed by voters next month.Measure B4 on the March 2nd ballot is asking property owners to raise the present $25 tax to $40 a year, a $15 annual increase.At a special Feb. 5th meeting trustees prioritized needs at the fiscally ailing library, hit again and again by state budget cuts.With the successful passage of Measure B4, public service hours would be restored to 44 hours a week, up from the four weekly hours cut in July 2003. The library materials budget for books, magazines and periodicals, among other user commodities, would increase by $25,000 to $35,000, more than double the library’s current $10,000 budget.A microfilm reader/printer scanner would be purchased, the south parking lot resurfaced and electrical upgrades launched, among other improvements planned for the first year of funding enhancement.
