Mamaroneck Library Proposed Budget
Fiscal Year 2012-2013

The Budget for June 2012-May 2013 (pdf format)


The Library Budget Vote Has Passed
YES - 328
NO - 267
Thanks for all your support!


Guiding Principles for 2012 Budget

  • Attempt to maintain equivalent level of service to public with small staff
  • Maintain collections but be mindful of the changing nature of libraries in the age of digital distribution
  • Keep up-to-date with changing economic situation that our community is facing

Increase

  • 18.25% -- includes a one-time step-up of operating costs from temporary to new building, and debt service
  • Estimated increase for the new library is $75 a year for the average homeowner

Budget

  • Total Operating Expenses
    • $1,823,000
  • Debt Service
    • $895,731
  • Total Expenditures
    • $2,719,531
  • Revenue (in addition to tax receipts)
    • State Aid, fines, new room rental fees, and other receipts $27,300
  • Reserve Funds
    • $200,000

Debt Service in Budget

  • Debt payment is a large part of library's spending in upcoming budget – over a third of the total.
  • Debt payments are relatively fixed over the term of the bond which ends in 2034

Expanding Sources of Revenue

  • Fundraising -- offset tax burden through ongoing effort to raise private funds (library is 501 C-3)
  • Room Rentals/User fees
  • Seeking Grants -- library staff continue to seek and apply for outside grants

Variance with 2012-2013 Operating Budget

  • Increases
    • Salaries and payroll taxes $59,000 restores 1 position to library staffing will still be below 2008 levels
    • Retirement costs $30,000 -- mandated by the state
    • Fuel and utilities $30,000 -- higher energy costs and now full facility from temporary space
    • Tax Certiorari $5,000
  • Decreases
    • New Books & Library Materials $30,000
    • Health insurance $18,000, due to restructured plan with increased employee contributions and co-payments

Total operating cost increase 2.8%


The operating budget increase is only 1.1% over last year's operating budget if you exclude mandated retirement costs.


Library Staffing

  • No salary increase in current budget proposal
  • Fewer full time staff than in 2008 even though new facility is much larger
  • Utilizing volunteers wherever possible to defray costs

Future Budgeting Objectives

  • Library Board believes that this step-up for fiscal year 2013 is one-time in nature to achieve the level of fully paying for the new library.
  • Board has committed to continue private fundraising to defray costs, to continue to evaluate user fees, and to seek other potential non-tax sources of revenue


The 2011-2012 Library Budget


The Library's 2011-2012 budget is available as a pdf.