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Post by Chris_Wendt on Mar 31, 2009 11:36:06 GMT -5
Poster 'John' posed the following question in another thread... "...A budget has an expense side and a revenue side,how come the Wantagh Public Library in their budget brochure only shows the expense side?
Where is the revenue side for the public to view?
...How can the library show a tax levy decrease without showing the revenue side of the budget?
I wonder if the Library had some MAJOR CASH RESERVE that it has accrued, which enabled them to hire a library director at a significant salary,prior to this budget.
Maybe you can find out the answer to this question,and enlighten the viewers....
Thank you...."
-John Here is the link to the Wantagh Library Budget: www.wantaghlibrary.org/2009-10budget.pdf(Scroll down to the actual budget.) Apparently, there is $62,000 revenue from fees and fines being budgeted for, but excluding state or county aid and tax revenue. County aid, I believe originates with the state, and like the school district, no one knows what the state aid numbers are going to be, even as of today. Based upon the $62,000 revenue projected, the Library would experience a net expenditure reduction of $36,268, which they have translated into a reduction in the tax levy. It would appear that they are either expecting no financial aid from the county or state, or, that any aids they do receive are categorical (meaning targeted for specific purposes). That would mean that aid received or not received for any category could require an adjustment on the expenditure side of that category, after the fact. I am really just guessing at their aid situation, however. As with the school budget vote, the library budget vote is only to approve the budgeted expenditures, but not the revenue. The school district must account for state, federal and county aids in their budget because without doing so the resulting tax levy would appear very lopsided, and I could not imagine any school budget being passed by the voters if that budget left off the state aid and all other known or anticipated revenue sources. Regards Chris Wendt
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Post by john on Mar 31, 2009 14:47:16 GMT -5
As with the school budget vote, the library budget vote is only to approve the budgeted expenditures, but not the revenue.
The school district must account for state, federal and county aids in their budget because without doing so the resulting tax levy would appear very lopsided, and I could not imagine any school budget being passed by the voters if that budget left off the state aid and all other known or anticipated revenue sources.
Regards
Chris Wendt[/quote]ric
Chris,
Thank You for the information.It sounds to me like you might be a little perplexed as well.
Regards.
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Post by Michael Soethout on Mar 31, 2009 20:42:05 GMT -5
Good Evening Everyone,
NYS Dept of Ed has updated it State Aid estimate, as of posting 3/31/09 Wantagh is scheduled to receive $15,301,125. This they are stating is a 3.77% INCREASE over last year approximately $501K more.
Sincerely, Michael Soethout
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Post by john on Apr 3, 2009 14:34:52 GMT -5
Well the answer to the library fund balance question is out for all to see....... According to the Wantagh Seaford Citizen,The Wantagh Public Library is holding approx. ***1.2 million dollars in fund balance,which is approx. 50% OF THEIR BUDGET. The library has a fund balance of "about $1.2 million with capital improvement projects," said Mr.Bosco,"We want to move forward in improving the library and the board discussed setting aside about $700,000 for {future} renovations." So the Wantagh Public Library is still holding onto a $700.000.00 fund balance or approx. 30% of their budget with taxpayer money that is not earmarked.That is absurd.********That is the ANSWER TO THE QUESTION I have been looking for........School districts are regulated by LAW to only hold no MORE than 4% of their budget....And sad for us Public Libraries are not regulated. ****So $36.55 is not enough Wantagh Public Library!We deserve even more of the fund balance!!!!! THANK YOU. LIBRARY VOTE APRIL 7TH FYI{MR.BOSCO IS THE NEWLY HIRED LIBRARY DIRECTOR}
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Apr 3, 2009 19:53:37 GMT -5
"So the Wantagh Public Library is still holding onto a $700.000.00 fund balance or approx. 30% of their budget with taxpayer money that is not earmarked. That is absurd....
School districts are regulated by LAW to only hold no MORE than 4% of their budget....And sad for us... Public Libraries are not regulated." I am not so sure this last statement is true. You could call the NYSED in Albany and ask this question: "Is a public library which is a subsidiary of a Union Free Public School District subject to the same limits on surplus fund balance as the public school district of which it is a subsidiary?" I do not know the answer and do not have time to chase this down. But I would not be ready to just accept the statement that library fund balances and reserves are not regulated. Chris Wendt
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Post by john on Apr 4, 2009 5:50:11 GMT -5
The fact is and has been verified,that Public Libraries are not regulated with the amounts they can keep in their reserves.This can be verified by even contacting the school district since it is a subsidiary of the Public school district.
And the fact that the Library will STILL hold onto $700,000.00 is 30% of their budget and that is way too much!
Have A great weekend.
thank you.
****and i do agree,that verification on this site and others is VERY important.I would also urge for everyone to find out facts for themselves.So make the call.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Apr 4, 2009 6:22:41 GMT -5
...(T)he Library will STILL hold onto $700,000.00 is 30% of their budget and that is way too much!" That would depend upon what they are holding it for. Please consider: - There is a negative tax increase from the Library Board
- I don't recall when the last time the Library roof was replaced, and that could cost $300,000 alone.
- Like the school district, the Library does have heating and air conditioning systems that will eventually require overhaul or replacement which could exceed $500,000
- The Library does have public sidewalks and a large parking lot that require periodic major repairs, possibly in the $100K-$200K range
I don't have any specific information, and I have heard other gripes about this stash of cash at the Library. It would probably serve everyone's interest if the Library Director or the Library Board would explain their long-range plans for the use of this money. They could have a $ Million capital repair/replacement project in the works, and this money could help them avoid going to the voters to ask for approval of long-term bond debt to accomplish such a project. Or, they could just be overly-frugal managers of money, desperately in need of the same regulations that apply to school district finances. That kind of regulation should certainly include a cap on general fund balance reserves, AND, a requirement to obtain voter approval before establishing a Capital Reserve Fund (which is what I think they have established without calling it that). School district Capital Reserve Funds are required to have a maximum amount of allowable funding, and a maximum term for which the money can be held before it must either be spent or returned to the taxpayers. Spending money from a school district Capital Reserve Fund requires voter-approval of a specific Capital Project. This is something you could suggest to NY State Senator Charles Fuschillo. It would be interesting to hear his reaction to such a proposal, whether he would sponsor legislation or not. Since Library taxes impact the same taxpayers who pay Wantagh school taxes, it may be appropriate for the President of the Wantagh school board to meet with his counterpart on the Library Board to obtain better information about library finances and cash reserves. Regards Chris Wendt
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Post by john on Apr 4, 2009 6:34:44 GMT -5
In total agreement Chris,
From what the director said though,the remaining money is not earmarked for any specifics and he is the one that made that statement.Did you read the Wantagh Seaford Citizen this week.
I also asked the school district if in fact anyone looked at the Library Budget and They in fact requested the Info.,but it has not been easily obtained.
Maybe the Library should have a Budget Advisory Committee,that is open for view by the public as well. As we do not get to see the entire budget.I am just very uncomfortable.
Thanks for your help and time.
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Post by lilly on Apr 4, 2009 11:53:02 GMT -5
From the Citizen: ________________ The library has a fund balance of "about $1.2 million with capital improvement projects," said Mr. Bosco. We want to move forward in improving the library and the board has discussed setting aside about $700,000 for [future] renovations." Mr. Bosco said the roof, "which was repaired several years ago, "is leaking and must be redone. We need lighting, furniture and our meeting rooms need to be updated; so do the bathrooms." _________________ Setting aside $ for regular building investment is a problem? I don't see that. I know in our household budget and savings, we need to constantly make repairs to keep our house in decent shape, and can expect to replace the roof every 15 years. So, not seeing that one as a problem - using a reserve vs a bond (if the library can do bonds). There is a broken study table in the reference section that is roped off so no one can sit there - it's an eyesore. The ceiling tiles have water damage from the roof leaks as well as there are other signs of leaks. And, personally - at least update the upholstery on the chairs by the YA section - the too bright blue offends me. I am unfamiliar with public library funding regs but the library is a fraction of my taxes compared to the school and it's at a decrease this year. But thanks for the heads up on things to look out for, if there's anything there. So, why are we discussing the library on a school district message board anyway?
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Post by john on Apr 4, 2009 17:53:31 GMT -5
Lilly, The Library is a sudsidiary of the school disrict,as Chris has also mentioned in a previous post,so it is relevant to the school district community. And it has its own thread now,Lilly. Good Day.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Apr 4, 2009 20:31:24 GMT -5
What seems to be wrong, however, is that these so-called capital projects are not actually IN the Library budget. They seem to have the money, they seem to be able to justify amassing the money...but they are not proceeding with the projects.
I have recently heard from people more involved with the library that there is some frustration over the lack of spending this money to accomplish the things the money was intended to accomplish.
John, if you have both the interest and the time, you should consider pursuing this with either the Library Director or the Board: When will they begin to burn-down that cash reserve and tackle their capital projects, and, what are they waiting for?
To me this is certainly very interesting, but I have zero time or inclination to get involved on that front.
The Library Budget Vote is Tuesday, I believe. This is usually a non-event in Wantagh. If, on some strange turn of events the Library budget were to be defeated again--with a negative tax consequence--then I think that would certainly be a most noteworthy event for the Wantagh Board of Education.
Chris Wendt
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Post by john on Apr 5, 2009 6:19:11 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]My thanks to CHRIS,for genuinely addressing my concerns regarding the Library Fund Balance,Cash Reserves,Surplus or whatever you want to call it....... I think over site committee should be in the cards for the Library.It could benefit us all. I appreciate your time and your concern.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Apr 5, 2009 6:44:38 GMT -5
The Library Budget Vote is the Tuesday, April 7th, at the Library, starting at 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Here's the budget as presented on the WPL website: Both the spending and the tax levy are REDUCED in this year's Library Budget! Chris Wendt
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Post by john on Apr 5, 2009 6:52:37 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing all they had put out to the community,but once again THEY HAVE NOT
SHARED THE REVENUE PORTION OF THE BUDGET.....WHY?
It still makes some of us WONDER!
Let the cards fall where they may.....
Best Wishes to all my fellow Wantavians?@##$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Apr 7, 2009 9:07:13 GMT -5
"Let the cards fall where they may....." Well, tonight is the night for the first budget 'test drive' in Wantagh for the 2009 voting season. We will know which way the cards are tending to fall in Wantagh after 9:00 tonight. Voting is at the Library today, Tuesday, April 7th, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Enjoy and celebrate your sacred right as an American...come out and VOTE TONIGHT! Regards Chris Wendt (I remember with fondness, Betty Murphy, being so intent that there should be a requirement for everyone to vote. Unfortunately, that would have taken a right and a privilege and turned it into a duty, a chore, and just another reason to be angry with the government, another law to scoff at. I did appreciate her zeal and her sentiment about voting, however!)
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