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Library requests $2,500 town appropriation increase to avoid program cuts
Summary
The library told the Grafton Select Board it needs a $2,500 increase in town tax support (from $9,500 to $12,000) to avoid cuts to programs and staffing, citing a 4.5% endowment spending rule and rising costs for insurance, payroll and utilities.
The library requested an increase in town tax support to preserve services and avoid program cuts. The presenter told the board the library currently receives $9,500 per year from the town and said, “we're requesting an increase of $2,500 a year, which would bring us to a total of $12,000 tax support for the library.”
The presenter summarized how the library is funded and why the extra funds are needed: town tax support, a board-managed endowment with a 4.5% three-year rolling spending rule, an annual appeal that typically provides about 20% of operating income, and smaller revenue from book sales and grants. She said the endowment spending rule limits annual withdrawals to preserve the fund and noted that rising payroll and insurance costs have tightened the budget. Attendance and usage data were cited as part of the funding case: “adult programs at the library, we had 1,83 attendees; children’s programs, 305 attendees,” and total library visits of 5,241 for the reviewed period.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the per-capita calculation and the insurance endowment. The presenter said she used the 2020 census population (635) for per-capita math and explained the Jerry Stevens fund covers about 75% of director health insurance. No formal vote on the appropriation was taken at this meeting; the presentation was entered into the record and the board indicated it would consider the request during upcoming budget deliberations.
