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Library director asks select board for clearer line‑item budget as auditors queried records
Summary
The library presented a January–February manifest and asked the select board to clarify which utility and fuel costs the town funds versus the library’s general fund, noting a line‑item operating budget of $136,000 and urging earlier start to next year’s budget process.
The library representative presented a January‑February manifest and asked the Newfields Select Board for clearer rules about which utility and fuel costs the town pays and which the library covers.
"It's a $136,000 to run that library," the speaker said, adding the library currently receives roughly $83,000 from the town and expects about $36,000 from income, grants and an annual donation from the Friends group. The representative said auditors had raised questions last year and urged the board to adopt explicit line items and a reimbursement process instead of the library writing checks and not invoicing the town.
Board members accepted the manifest for review and discussed timing for next year’s budget process. One member recommended convening with finance staff and the town clerk to reconcile line items and clarify whether the library should submit invoices for direct costs such as oil or electricity.
The board agreed to return this item to a future meeting with more detailed documentation and suggested staff follow up with the town clerk and auditors to ensure budget presentation meets DRA expectations. The library said it can supply the underlying bills if the board wants them.
The select board did not take a formal vote on funding changes at the meeting; next steps are administrative—staff will coordinate with the library and bring line‑item proposals to a future agenda.
