St. Helens library board warned of budget shortfall; 8-hour furloughs, fees and COLA cuts floated

St. Helens — St. Helens Public Library staff told the library board on May 12 that the city faces a substantial general-fund shortfall and that options being discussed to cover the gap include a $10–$42 monthly general services fee for property owners, reduction or elimination of cost-of-living adjustments and an 8-hour-per-month furlough applied to all staff.

Why it matters: library staff said the furlough scenario would require reducing open hours, cutting several youth and makerspace programs and processing fewer physical items, at a time when library use has risen. Board members were asked to submit written comments to the city budget committee and to attend the budget meeting in person if possible.

City budget context and options Library staff summarized information presented to the city’s budget committee by the finance director about a “substantial deficit, that needs to be, made up.” The finance director offered several options under consideration, including timber sales, across-the-board departmental reductions (with the police department exempted), a monthly property-owner service fee in the range discussed by staff, changes to the citywide COLA and furloughs.

Potential impact on hours, staff and programs Library staff described the operational effect of an 8-hour-per-month furlough for each employee. According to staff calculations, the library would need to cut roughly 15 staff shifts per month, which they estimated would reduce open hours by two half-days each week (the staff discussion referenced Monday afternoon and Friday morning as the likely reductions). Staff said that under that scenario the library would have to cancel or reduce three programs, cut two makerspace “certification 101” classes, and shift more desk time to full-time staff. A staff estimate cited in the meeting put the monthly circulation of physical items at roughly 200 fewer items if hours and staffing were reduced.

Library usage trends and timing concerns Library staff pointed to rising local demand as a complicating factor: visits were reported as up 30% in April compared with April last year and up 17% for the January–April period year over year. Staff warned that implementing furloughs on July 1 would fall in the middle of the summer program and have outsized impact on youth programming and makerspace activities.

Board response and next steps Board members asked about alternatives and about the budget committee process. Staff said the finance director would compile written questions, public comments and other materials for the committee; the board was told that written comments for the upcoming budget committee meeting must reach the city by noon the day before that meeting and that board members could make in-person public comments at the council chamber meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday. Library staff offered to circulate contact information for the budget committee chair.

Quotations "There is a substantial deficit, that needs to be, made up," said the library staff member presenting the budget briefing to the board.

Board action and formal motions No formal board motion to adopt budget measures was taken at the May 12 meeting. Board members were encouraged to submit written comments to the city budget committee and to attend the public budget meeting; staff said they would circulate the deadline and contact information.

What’s next The budget committee is due to review compiled questions, city finance responses and public comments at its next meeting; the library board will follow the process and was asked to provide written comments or public testimony to the budget committee while the city’s proposed options remain under consideration.