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Committee debates $46,000 gap for Sandy librarymobile; no final allocation
Summary
Budget committee members debated using part of the $467,000 unallocated pool to cover a $46,000 local shortfall for a library mobile outreach vehicle; staff and several members urged waiting for confirmed grants and fundraising before committing city general funds.
Budget committee members debated whether the city should fill a local funding gap for a Sandy library mobile outreach vehicle, but the committee did not earmark funds specifically for the project and instead moved the unallocated $467,000 into council contingency.
Why it matters: committee members and members of the public previously urged support for the mobile library, and the proposed $46,000 local contribution would close the cityshare of an estimated $96,000 total cost. Amelia Page told the committee the total needed for the mobile library was "$96,000, and we anticipate getting somewhere around $50,000 in grants and fundraising, and that $46,000 is in district funds." She urged the committee to bridge the gap if grant funding does not materialize.
Not all members agreed. Some committee members said the library already receives district funding and that grants and fundraising should be pursued before obligating additional city general funds. Others noted the political and equity questions of relying on city taxpayers to fund a service that benefits the Library District and areas beyond city limits.
Staff clarified that, based on materials presented, $46,000 was currently shown as district funds in the packet and that a total of $96,000 was the project cost for the vehicle. The committee ultimately recommended the full $467,000 be placed in council contingency so the City Council can make final allocation decisions when grants, fundraising and firm cost estimates are clearer.
Next steps: staff and the library district will continue seeking grant funding and will provide the council with updated cost and funding information if needed. The council will decide whether to allocate contingency funds when it considers the budget in June.
