Astoria creates library special projects fund, approves bond budget transfers and pauses proposed meeting-room fee hike

The Astoria City Council on Sept. 2 approved a new Library Special Projects Fund and related budget moves and then suspended a proposed increase to the largest library meeting‑room fee after residents and some councilors said the charge could limit access to public meeting space.

Council action adopted a resolution to establish library special projects fund No. 134 and a related supplemental budget to receive roughly $82,000 the City Manager said will come from the dissolving Library Foundation. The council also approved a budget amendment for Library Bond Construction Fund No. 191 to roll about $1.7 million in project expenditures into the current fiscal year and to transfer $10,900 remaining in the Logan Memorial Trust Fund into the library construction fund.

The moves are tied to the city’s ongoing library construction. City manager Spence told the council the Foundation is dissolving and wanted its remaining funds applied to the library; the city recommended setting the separate fund to track that money and future gifts. “We’re recommending $82,000,” Spence said. For the bond construction fund, he said timing—not an increase in total project cost—required…