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Residents object to BookPage subscription; commissioners split on library rollback during tentative budget hearing
Summary
Dozens of residents criticized library BookPage selections and urged commissioners to remove a $3,300 subscription from the library budget. Library staff described reserve uses; the board approved the library millage 3–2 after debate about reserves and public objection.
Dozens of Citrus County residents addressed the Board of County Commissioners to oppose a paid BookPage subscription in the county library budget, arguing some featured titles are inappropriate for a taxpayer‑funded county publication. Several residents also urged rollback of library millage; commissioners debated the request and ultimately approved the library millage line 3–2.
Public commenters named specific titles and described BookPage as an externally produced book‑review publication that the county currently purchases and distributes to library locations. John Labriola, who brought copies of a recent BookPage edition to the meeting record, urged the board to “cut that line item out of your budget and adopt the rollback rate for the library budget.” Robin Orlandi, a librarian and Library Advisory Board member, asked the board to “leave it to the Library Advisory Board to take a look at that and decide its appropriateness for the community,” emphasizing that BookPage also reviews mainstream titles.
Library Services Director Adam Chang explained how the subscription and library reserves work: the county pays roughly $3,300 per year for BookPage; the library receives about 500 copies per month (roughly 100 per location) and staff estimate approximately 90% utilization. Chang said draws from library reserves would not immediately reduce operating budgets but would lower the funds set aside for capital needs (roof, HVAC, vehicle replacement) or future renovations. Chang also said the library previously used reserves to cover class‑and‑pay adjustments (about $277,000) and that reserves can be used to handle emergencies or planned capital projects such as Central Ridge Library upgrades.
Commissioners were split. Commissioner Holly Davis proposed adopting rollback for the library to reduce the county’s immediate tax burden; Commissioner Diana Finnegan and Commissioner Janet Barrick argued that removing the line item and, if necessary, drawing from reserves later would be a targeted way to respond to public concern while keeping library operations intact. Commissioner Jeff Kennard said he would personally review BookPage issues and noted the Library Advisory Board was following process. The board voted 3–2 to approve the library millage at 0.3147 mills.
Why this matters: The exchange highlights two overlapping issues—public concern about specific library content and how small budget line items are handled when they provoke community controversy. The county faces tradeoffs between minimizing taxpayers’ short‑term impacts and preserving institutional reserves for capital, emergency and service‑continuity needs.
What library staff said about reserves and subscriptions - BookPage subscription cost: $3,300 annually (county line item). - Distribution: approximately 500 copies per month (100 per branch); staff reported about 90% utilization each month. - Reserves: library reserves would fall if rollback were applied; current estimates shown in meeting materials put remaining reserves at about $132,000 if rollback were implemented. - Capital needs: past renovations were paid with ARPA funds and donations; future needs cited included the 31‑year‑old Central Ridge Library and potential service‑hour increases as population grows.
The board’s vote on the library millage was taken as part of the broader tentative millage process; the library line passed 3–2 and the overall tentative budget proceeded to the final hearing.
