Library Budget, Millage Rate OK’d

The Ann Arbor District Library board has authorized its fiscal 2014-15 budget with a millage rate of 1.55 mills – unchanged from the current rate. The action took place at the board’s May 19, 2014 meeting. [.pdf of budget summary from AADL board meeting packet]

The $12.568 million budget assumes a 2.4% increase in tax revenues, based on an increase in property values. The library is authorized to levy up to 1.92 mills, but in recent years the board has set the millage rate at lower levels. The library’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

The budget reflects a 3% increase in the merit raise pool for full-time employees. Salaries, wages and benefits account for the largest portion of the budget expenditures – a projected $8.048 million in fiscal 2014-15. The budget also includes a 3% increase in the library’s contribution to employee health care costs. Other major line items include materials ($1.75 million); utilities ($448,000); programming ($320,000); and repair/maintenance ($312,000).

The legal expense line item is increasing from a budgeted $50,000 this year to $96,000 in FY 2014-15. That reflects the start of union contract negotiations.

The budget and millage rate were approved in separate votes. A third vote designated the budget as a line-item budget with a policy for disbursements. All votes were unanimous.

The board also held a public hearing on the budget, but no one spoke.

This brief was filed from the fourth floor boardroom of the downtown library at 343 S. Fifth Ave. A more detailed report will follow: [link]