2010 Budget update

At the  Library Board meeting on November 19, 2009, the Board unanimously adopted the 2010 budget of $3,051,080 for the library district, including 2 one-week unpaid furloughs for all staff.  This budget is $37,267 more than the 2009 budget of $3,013,813.  During the staff's unpaid furloughs, all NOLS libraries will be closed for a week in the spring and another week in the fall.  The tentative dates for these closures, and for the staff to be on unpaid leave, are March 29-April 3, 2010, and August 30-September 4, 2010.  These dates have not yet been approved by the Board.  The Board directed staff to make additional cuts totalling $22,948 in personnel costs in 2010.  The approved budget also includes a transfer of $88,021 from the Reserve Fund for Economic Uncertainty.  This combination of reserve funds and spending reductions reduces the $176,043 budget shortfall to $0.  

The Board anticipates needing to draw from the Reserve Fund for Economic Uncertainty again in 2011.  If the levy election planned for November 2010 passes, the additional property tax funds will not start coming in until April/May 2010, probably resulting in another shortfall.  If the planned election fails, or if the Board decides to not seek an increase in the Library's property tax rate, even more will be needed as the Library initiates a phased downsizing of staffing and services. 

At the November 19 meeting, the Board also formally directed staff to seek additional revenues and cut spending as ways to reduce the impact on the Reserve Fund for Economic Uncertainty. 

For more information about the North Olympic Library System's plan for fiscal sustainability, check out the NOLS 2012 business plan  or email LibraryBoard@nols.org.