A memorandum aimed at finding cuts in the Homer Public Library’s budget was voted down Tuesday. The memorandum, put forth by council member Tom Stroozas, would have directed the Library Advisory Board to examine how to cut the library’s budget by 5 to 15 percent.
The advisory board doesn’t meet during the summer. Stroozas amended the motion to have Library Director Ann Dixon explore cuts instead, but that was voted down.
Several members questioned why the move was directed at the library. Council member David Lewis was among those who pushed back after council member Heath Smith cited a large increase in the library’s budget over the past 10 years.
“Comparing the budget with the old library with the new library is a lot like apples and oranges, totally different space, a lot larger, housing a lot more,” he said. “That I don’t think is a totally fair comparison. If we’re going to look at the library, then let’s look at everything.”
Lewis added that he may have supported the measure if cuts were examined in general, but not specific percentages. Council member Shelly Erickson also suggested examining all departments instead of just the library.
Both Heath and Stroozas say the memorandum was mischaracterized and that cuts with minimal impact to patrons would be examined.
“The kids are going to have a safe place to go to. They’re not going to be shut out in the winter time, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera,” Stroozas responded. “So let’s work with the staff and our Director Ann Dixon and figure out a way we can make this work.”
The motion failed with Stroozas and Smith being the only members to vote in favor of the memorandum. Council member Catriona Reynolds was absent.
The library board has already been examining ways non-Homer residents can pay moreand options for reducing the roughly $900,000 budget. The board recommended using the permanent fund to pay off a $1.1 million long-term loan, which would reduce the annual budget by about $100,000, saving almost $1.3 million in interest.
The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to dissolve the $2.3-million fund to do exactly that. Remaining dollars would go towards building a new police station.
The council also examined task force recommendationsto build a new police department, but delayed discussion until more information on those recommendations can be fleshed out.