For the second time in two years, Town Manager Dale Sugerman wanted the library to spend less. And for the second time in two years, he was rebuffed.
Library director Mari Suarez had asked for $85,000 for new books and publications for the budget year that starts Oct. 1; Sugerman trimmed $20,000 from her request.
“I stayed with the same number that I have recommended to the commission for the past two years, which is $65,000. I’ve not flinched,’’ Sugerman said at an August budget workshop.
Last year, he said, the commission overrode his recommendation and budgeted $75,000 for magazines and books.
It was money well spent, resident and former Mayor Arlin Voress said, noting that the library will order any title a resident asks for.
‘’I think that means a lot to the people of this town,’’ he said.
Resident John Caldwell disagreed.
“We have 4,000 residents in the town of Highland Beach. The library budget this year alone — we could buy a Kindle for everyone,’’ he said.
Resident Elizabeth Susskind said she wanted even more cuts — at least 10 percent from the entire budget. “This is a recession, or haven’t any of you heard about that?’’ she implored.
But commissioners were sympathetic to Suarez’s budget limitations.
“The costs of books and magazines have gone up,’’ Commissioner Doris Trinley said. “We should give her what she asked for, because I don’t think she would ask for it if she didn’t truly think she needed it.’’
The town will dip further into its reserves for the book money.
The Highland Beach Library has 18,000 volumes, 2,000 movie videos, 200 DVDs, 800 audio books and many newspapers and magazines, according to the town’s website. The children’s collection has 2,500 additional books and videos.
The library also offers Internet access and holds a book sale in November and March.
Highland Beach budget update
Proposed tax rate: $4.55 per $1,000 of taxable value ($3.61 operating + 94 cents for debt service)*
2009-10 tax rate: $3.35 + 92 cents per $1,000 for debt service
Change in property value: 7.1 percent decrease
Total Budget: $10.7 million general fund, $1.6 million debt service
Total proposed cuts/savings: Uses $1 million from reserves to offset declining property values
What’s at stake: Faces rising health insurance premiums. Will cut full-time staff from 38 to 37. Water/sewer rates could be raised in April.
Quote: “We are a wealthy town. We can afford everything we need.” — Arlin Voress, former mayor, urging that additional money be budgeted to upgrade the library’s computers
Public hearings: 5:01 p.m. Sept. 16 and Sept. 27, Town Hall
*Tax rate may be lowered, but not raised at the September hearings.
NOTE: Percentage of property value decrease as per Palm Beach County Preliminary Tax Roll Comparison, July 1, 2010.
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