Article Contributed on: 11/6/2009 5:31:42 PM
Arapahoe Library District Proposes Fiscally Conservative 2010 Budget
The community is invited to a Public Hearing on the Arapahoe Library District's (ALD) 2010 Budget on Tuesday, November 17, at 7 p.m. at Koelbel Library, a branch of the Arapahoe Library District, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial. ALD's final 2010 Budget, which was recently submitted to the Library District Board of Trustees for first review, is slated for adoption on December 10.
"While our top priority remains to serve our patrons with outstanding and personalized service - from early literacy and school achievement to finding a job and building essential life skills - the proposed budget is an example of how ALD is striving to be fiscally conservative in planning for the future," said Executive Director Eloise May
As it stands, the 2010 Budget shows projected revenues of $24.2 million and projected expenses of $23.7 million. Of that difference, $283,000 is budgeted to be added to the Library District's General Fund, which is projected to be $13 million at the end of 2010.
"Because the Library is primarily funded by property tax, today's economic recession will result in a downturn in library revenues in 2012 and 2013. This decline in revenues will be based on assessment activity from January 2009 to June 2010," May said. "Therefore, the Library District has chosen to budget conservatively in 2010 so that our services will remain consistently strong in 2012."
The 2010 Budget was carefully constructed using the following criteria:
• Adding money to the General Fund in anticipation of a downturn in property tax revenues.
• Reducing facility and administrative expenses so that additional funds can be spent on library materials, including more downloadable books and large print books.
• Retaining the talented staff who deliver our services.
• Establishing a contingency line item for unanticipated expenses.
"The Arapahoe Library District has committed to increasing literacy initiatives and building community connections," May said. "As we continue to positively transform lives in our community, we want our public to have faith and confidence in the library system and, more importantly, how we manage our money."
ALD is a public library system serving the city of Centennial, as well as portions of Arapahoe and Adams counties. For more information about Arapahoe Library District, visit the website at
www.arapahoelibraries.org.
Jessica Sherrick is the manager of communications for the Arapahoe Library District.