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Library director says revenues are expected to exceed expenditures; capital work and service increases planned
Summary
City library staff told the council that library operations are projecting revenue to exceed expenditures this fiscal year, cited heavy computer and program use, and asked for targeted increases in wages, contract services and digital materials while deferring a final capital cost for a bathroom renovation until estimates arrive.
Library director (unnamed) told the Dearborn Heights City Council during a budget study session that the library is projecting revenues will exceed expenditures this fiscal year and is asking for line-item adjustments ahead of the new fiscal year.
“So far this fiscal year the libraries are once again on schedule to have revenues exceed expenditures,” the library director said. The director told the council the library has raised some fees in line with inflation to reflect additional hours and staffing, and noted the libraries are open more hours than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The library reported circulation of about 170,000 items in the past year and 34,715 computer sessions, which the director described as “one of the highest usage rates in the States.” Foot traffic, program attendance, room use and computer access remain the services patrons use most, the director said.
The library’s requested budget changes include: a planned modest increase in salaries, a $15,000 increase in contract services, an increase of $10,000 for dues and memberships (the line covers ebooks and eaudiobooks), and a $30,000 reduction in the capital outlay line pending a firm architect’s estimate for a restroom renovation at the CK branch. The director said that capital outlay was “significantly boosted from last year” in the preliminary request because of the planned bathroom work but that the precise cost is not yet known.
On non-tax revenue, the director described expected increases in state aid tied to a county recalculation of the penal-fine disbursement formula and said the library may receive a one-time lump-sum correction from the county. The director also noted the library’s operating model: it receives “some state money and TIFA aside” but is “by and large a self supporting entity” funded primarily through its annual millage.
Council members asked for clarifications on several lines: a missing $12,000 for high‑speed internet for both buildings, an adjustment to a retiree payout line that might shift between fiscal years depending on beneficiary identification, and a $5,000 raise in the salary recommendation captured on the personnel page. The director confirmed the $12,000 internet cost had not been added and asked staff to note the omission.
The director said the projected end‑of‑year net revenue over expenditures would be about $157,887 after accounting for the added $12,000 telephone/internet cost and other adjustments, and that total city fund balances include all funds on the final page of the packet.
The director also told the council the library is pursuing a multi‑year maintenance and upgrade program for both buildings and plans to add to its fund balance to cover long‑term capital needs when existing bonds expire. On AI, the director said the libraries have discussed tagging books to speed cooperative processes and that browsers used by patrons may include AI tools, but the library does not currently license or operate a standalone AI service for core processes.
Council members praised the library’s usage and encouraged work on the capital estimates and the personnel lines so final numbers can be reflected in the budget.
