Taxes are going up in Scranton. The 2014/15 budget unanimously approved by the city council at its regular meeting March 11 boosts the tax rate by 90 cents (per thousand dollars of taxable valuation) with the new rate set at $17.36701.
A 35-minute public hearing included complaints and questions from residents. Most were related to the budget cut delivered to the Scranton Library. The council decreased its contribution from $8,000 to $5,000 for the next budget year.
Ashley Squibb, children’s librarian, had a prepared statement. She noted, “I understand that all of you might not have the time to visit the library on a regular basis and may not be aware of all the things we have going. But we are one of the few places in town for kids to go after school.
“We are one of the only towns in the state that offer a K-5 program and teen program once a week. All of our programs are continuing to grow. We are the third busiest library in Greene County. The Library is one of the few programs for kids from city funds.
“There are not very many places in town to have a get-together like we have on Saturday mornings, where everyone is welcome to join in the conversation and have a cup of coffee. Or a safe place in town for kids to meet and have fun and enjoy educational activities.
“The proposed drastic cut in the library’s funding will force us to reduce our hours of operation. Our hours will drop to 20 hours per week, which is the minimum hours of operation to qualify for state funding. There will also be other changes such as fewer new books, movies and magazines. We will also have to cut the amount of programing that we currently offer. And we will not be offering new programing for either children or adults.
“We are proud to soon be opening a brand new building available for the Scranton community. How would it look to local residents and the community if we have to lessen our hours? I urge you to reconsider the budget cut to the Library,” concluded Squibb.
“It looks to me that the library is a babysitter,” commented Joyce Winkelman.
Councilmember Ethel Subbert questioned why volunteers can’t be utilized in the library.
Librarian Maggi Abernathy explained the privacy laws affect their operation. “Volunteers can’t run computers or know what people read.”
Councilmember Marilyn Jacobson asked why the library has overspent its budget. She stressed the need to watch funding and if there isn’t sufficient money in the account, not to purchase items. She advised, “Squeeze your figures to stay within your budget.”
“We will have to cut hours,” replied Squibb. “It doesn’t look as bad on us as it does on you guys.”
Cheryl Dideriksen explained the children at the library wrote thank you notes to veterans in the area. They celebrated Dr Seuss’ birthday. They’ve met local authors and made Valentines for the congregate meal site, along with other activities.
“We’re trying to be creative,” added Dideriksen. “Whether you read on a Kindle or a book. We’re exposing them.”
“If children don’t use the library when they’re young, they won’t use it when they’re older,” explained Abernathy.
Mayor Rod Walker advised the library staff, “You’ll need to sharpen your pencil. We don’t micro manage that budget. Everybody’s got to do their fair share.”
While the council decreased one portion of the library budget, the total Library budget from city funds is more than $20,000. That includes employee benefits paid by the city and 22 percent of the Local Option Sales Tax fund. The city projects to receive $10,584 from Greene County.
Scranton Journal editor Luann Waldo pointed out the proposed budget shows an excess of $47,603 in expenditures over revenue. It also predicts a drop of $11,670 in property taxes paid to the city. The valuation of the city was stable.
The line item of charges for services relating to water and sewer fees shows a deficit of $22,440. City clerk Melinda Hinners explained that water revenues are expected to continue to decrease in the coming year. ~Courtesy of the Scranton Journal
