Springfield-Greene County Library Trustees Approve $15.9 Million Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Mo- Trustees of the Springfield-Greene County Library District have approved a $15.9 million budget for 2016-2017.

The budget will spend $2.108 million on new books, e-books, and other materials. Some of the funds will go to parts of the Brentwood Branch renovation expenses, and provide staff raises.

The budget is more than $1.7 million higher than last fiscal year, said Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper. The Library expects a slight dip in income from library fines, state-funded grants and out-of-county library membership fees.

Some expenses like computer equipment are expected to go up. This year costs will be $122,370 for computer equipment, or $43,000 over last year; personnel accounts for 61 percent of the district's expenses, or about $8.997 million compared to $8.584 million last year.The budget includes for salary increases for almost all staff, Cooper said

Many areas will be anticipating increased income:

• Greene County property tax revenue is expected to increase by 3.75 percent.
   
• State aid could total $180,000, $89,227 more than last fiscal year. The increase represents funding of 45 cents per capita, up from 13 cents per capita over last fiscal year.
   
• The Library expects to take in $135,000 in passport acceptance fees, or $10,000 more than last fiscal year. The Library Center and Library Station are required to collect certain fees when accepting passport applications.
   
• Interest income and income from Library trusts will increase, to $66,096.
   
• Income from the Between Friends Gift Shops and kiosks could jump by $10,000, to $80,000.

Most of the district's revenue comes from Greene County property taxes, but it also anticipates receiving more than $$118,660 in grants for programs and services; $59,100 in grants from the Friends of the Library; $95,800 in out-of-county library memberships; and $238,000 in library fines and fees.

The Board of Trustees approved the budget at its monthly meeting June 21 at the Library Center. The new fiscal year begins July 1.