Lincoln County trims library budget lines to cover wage and utility increases

A review of the Lincoln County library budget concluded with officials agreeing to narrow discretionary spending and hold certain core service levels to absorb higher personnel costs.

The meeting focused on a proposed 5% wage increase that, when combined with insurance changes, was estimated to raise library costs by about $26,000. The library presenter said the bulk of that pressure came from wages and benefits and urged adjustments elsewhere in the draft budget.

Officials identified several lines for reduction and several to retain. Repairs and maintenance were reduced from a previously proposed ~$32,000 to $16,000 after staff said the major HVAC work was completed and roof replacement was unnecessary. Staff noted ongoing smaller expenditures remain (for example, a $275 plumbing invoice) and that some maintenance items fall under the library's budget per a management agreement.

On custodial services, the presenter said Libby's cleaning contract costs about $872 per month and that the Troy branch currently lacks a contract, leaving staff to perform cleaning duties; the meeting recorded a minimum cleaning budget of $12,000 to cover contracted service rather than rely on branch employees.

Several operating lines were adjusted: office supplies were set at $2,000 (down from a $3,000 proposal), technology at a floor of $12,000 (staff said less would be uncomfortable), operating supplies at $3,000, recreation supplies at $5,000 and education materials at $24,000 to restore purchases such as large-print and audiobook materials.

Interlibrary loan postage (the county-wide mailing of books) was debated; the presenter asked for $4,000 to preserve the service but officials agreed to reduce the line to $3,000, noting fewer out-of-county loans would likely follow if postage funding remained constrained. The presenter said the service has been suspended in part because of postage increases and that reduced funding would mean limiting orders rather than eliminating them entirely.

Staff also proposed a $5,000 training/services line so multiple branch employees could attend conferences; currently a single attendance item is recorded at $300 and staff said single-person branches struggle to attend virtual or in-person trainings while maintaining desk coverage.

The library budget discussion closed with a set of agreed adjustments and a request that staff circulate an updated budget sheet. Officials cautioned that next year's final mills (the county's taxable valuation factor) are still pending from the state and could alter final numbers.

The county did not take a formal vote on the library budget in this session; staff will update the spreadsheet and return with revised figures for subsequent consideration.