HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R24-34 - Fail - 1-7A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELECTION ON SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDIN
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARYa' D . FOR THE CITY 0
MONTANA. '
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel (hereinafter "the City") has reviewed the funding costs
for the Public Library for the City;
WHEREAS, the City has determined that current funding levels for staffing for Public
Library services (hereinafter "Public Library Services") in the City are insufficient;
WHEREAS, the City has also determined that current funding levels for the capital
needs of the City's Public Library Services, such as equipment and inventory (hereinafter "the
Capital Needs"), of the City are insufficient;
WHEREAS, the City is a public body and is authorized pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. §
15-10-425, as amended, to impose a new mill levy or exceed the mill levy limit provided for in
Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-420 by conducting an election authorizing such new mill levy for
purposes determined by the City and the electors of the City approving any new levy;
WHEREAS, the City's Public Library Services are currently supported by the general
mill levy funds paid by the property owners in the City;
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined additional Public Library Services and
Capital Needs are needed for the residents of the City;
WHEREAS, the City intends to establish an annual supplemental Public Library levy,
permanently, in order to pay the ongoing and permanent costs associated with delivering
additional Public Library services and helping to fund a portion of the costs of future Capital
Needs of the City's Public Library Department;
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that there is a need for a permanent levy
increase in the amount of Four Hundred Sixty -Six Thousand Three Hundred Ten Dollars and
No Cents ($466,310.00) or 45 mills (hereinafter "the Public Library Supplemental Levy") to
increase funding for Public Library Services and Capital Needs, to be adjusted annually subject
to the limits established in Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-420(1)(a), for inflationary and new growth
allowed in subsequent years; and
WHEREAS, Mont. Code Ann. §§ 15-10-420 and -425 authorize the City to request of
the voters in the City limits, as amended, an increase in mill levies over and above current
limitations.
R24-34 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for Public Library Services and Capital Needs
f�i
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, as follows:
1. Calling of the Election. The City Council hereby calls and directs a mill levy
election for the Public Library Supplemental Levy to be held on November 7, 2024 for the
purpose of voting on the following question: "Shall the City of Laurel, Montana, be authorized
to permanently raise the amount of Four Hundred Sixty -Six Thousand Three Hundred Ten
Dollars and No Cents ($466,310.00) or 45 mills annually for the purpose of funding additional
Public Library services to provide Public Library services, as well as fund capital and related
equipment needs for the City's Public Library? The amount of Four Hundred Sixty -Six
Thousand Three Hundred Ten Dollars and No Cents ($466,310.00) or 45 mills will be adjusted
annually, subject to the provisions of Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-420(1)(a), after the first year,
allowing for inflationary growth and newly taxable growth. The impact of the Public Library
Supplemental Levy on a residential home valued at $100,000 is $60.75 the first year, on a
residential home valued at $200,000 is $121.50 for the first year, on a residential home valued
at $300,000 is $182.25 for the first year, and on a residential home valued at $600,000 is
$364.50 for the first year.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 14th day of May 2024, by
Council Member Mackay.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 14"' day of
May 2024.
APPROVED by the Mayor the 14"' day of May 2024.
CITY OF LAUREL
Dave Waggoner, Mayor
Cluj_mw
Kelly Strecker, Clerk -Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
R24-34 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for Public Library Services and Capital Needs
L
CITY HALL
115 W. IST ST. City Of Laurel
PUB. WORKS: 628-4796
WATER OFC.: 628-7431
COURT: 628-1964 P.Q. Box 10
FAX 628-2241 Laurel, Montana 59044
To: City Council
From: Nancy Schmidt, Library Director
Date: May 3, 2024
Subject: Library Mill Levy
Library Director
The Library Board is requesting the City Council approve a Mill Levy to fund the Library. The
Board is requesting 45 Mills. Currently, the Library is funded by the General Fund. By approving
a separate and distinct Mill Levy, the City would be able to use existing Mills for other purposes
within the General Fund. Currently the Library receives 45 Mills from the General Fund. This
equates to a $466,310 annual budget.
The additional Mills from the Mill Levy would allow for the following:
Move one part time employee to full time. The additional approximate cost would be
$33,706.27, including approximate benefits, at 2024 wages. The Library anticipates that
2025 wages would create an additional cost of approximately $20,000. By increasing the
total FTE's for the Library, it would allow for coverage for sick and vacation leave without
having senior staff working split shifts or overage on shifts.
Open the Library on Fridays. The additional cost would be $19,523.56 at FY 2025 wages.
The increase of cost comes from the two employees who would be scheduled to cover the
8 hour shift, in addition to the Library Director, and a slight increase in utility usage.
Patrons have repeatedly asked why the Library is not open on Fridays. Staff have seen
patrons stop by to visit the Library to use computers, return & check out items, or make
copies -- but they are unable to because the Library is closed.
Purchase books/media materials. The current budget for books/media is $10,000. The
Library has been using the $6,000 received from the Foundation to also purchase
books/media. The Foundation funds should instead be used for programming and other
needs.
® The Library has 24 computer work stations. The current computer/printer budget is $400
annually. The Library presently only has refurbished computers that are at least five years
old. The Library would like to begin to replace these computers and establish a replacement
schedule for its computer equipment. The computers are used daily and see a lot of traffic.
If the Library is unable to replace the current computers, it would like to begin rebuilding
existing current computers to increase the capacity/memory, so as to better meet the needs
of the community.
The Library is asking in its Mill Levy request that the Mills create an amount of Four
Hundred Sixty -Six Thousand Three Hundred Ten Dollars and No Cents ($466,310.00) or
45 Mills. The additional Mills would allow for a buffer to cover increased costs.
The Library Board would agree to entering into an MOU with the City stating that if this
Mill Levy is passed, the Library would no longer receive additional funding from the
General Fund, except to the extent required by Montana law.
Any unused funds will be moved into a Library Depreciation Reserve Fund Authorized.
This fund will be used to cover any unexpected costs the Library may incur.
N