Donna discussed the factors that are impacting the budget this year. She stated they are projecting about a 3% increase over last year’s budget. This is based on the assumption that revenue will probably be “fairly flat” from the ad valorem taxes. Tax collections for this year are down and the library will receive less money in state aid. The budget accounts that had large increases were programming, travel, furniture, fixtures and equipment, insurance and worker’s compensation. Because workers compensation and insurance are mandated amounts, they tried to reduce the other accounts listed above to smaller increases. Travel is always more in alternate years due to the Public Library Association conference and the Oklahoma Library Association conference being held in Tulsa. All out of state travel was given a consistent, standard amount for all departments and programming and furniture accounts were adjusted so that existing programs were maintained but new programs and furniture purchases (for new services) were deferred until next year.
The preliminary budget will be presented to the finance committee on June 10th, and the final budget will be presented to the commission at their August meeting. If revenue projections are higher than anticipated, some items may be added back to the final budget. She asked library managers to give her a call if they had additional questions.
Karen Marriott stated that they had allocated money to fund the statewide databases if ODL could not fund them this year. Fortunately, it looks like the databases will be funded by ODL and the money can be put back in the regular materials accounts.
