The Great Neck Library Board of Trustees introduced a draft budget at Tuesday’s meeting, projecting that the library will come in under the state tax cap but face a deficit in the wake of lowered expectations for operating revenue.
“For the most part I had to trim [revenue projections] because we have not been meeting our goals on them for the last couple of years,” said business manager Neil Zitofsky.
The $8.58 million budget comes in 2.08 percent higher than last year’s budget, on the strength of a 1.97 percent tax revenue increase that is projected to yield $8.4 million in funds. The library’s operating revenues are projected to decrease from last year by $35,000, including lower income from library fines and printing fees.
Ongoing contract negotiations with library staff also make the projections uncertain. While the budget incorporates the library’s latest offer to staff, changes in the deal could affect how much the library spends on salaries and benefits.
The budget projects a $34,300 deficit that will have to be covered by spending cuts.
Zitofsky included a list of expenditures that could be cut from the budget, including several initiatives that board members and members of the public attending the meeting said could be good candidates for cuts to save the library money.
“There are going to be some difficult decisions to make,” Zitofsky said.
Among the budgeted items highlighted for possible cuts were increases to the number of online databases paid for by the library, upgrades to the library’s computer software and the installation of an e-commerce system to allow patrons to pay fines online and using credit cards.
Another item that Zitofsky suggested could provide savings was the scheduled $40,000 increase in fees to the Nassau Library System, the consortium which provides the library with books and access to online databases. The library board is currently contesting the increase, which it says unfairly targets Great Neck by basing fees on operating budget instead of services received from the consortium.
“That is an ongoing issue. We’re working it on it,” said board President Marietta DiCamillo.
Former trustee and frequent critic of the library’s finances Ralene Adler said the library’s budgeted plan to fill a vacant full-time position, instead of hiring another part time employee, would cost the library significant funds in required benefits and could be eliminated. Adler also suggested that the board could send fewer employees to training conferences. The board indicated it would review those concerns.
The total of the items highlighted for possible cuts came to $77,200, more than twice the anticipated deficit.
DiCamillo emphasized that the budget was in its initial stages and would be subject to more public meetings prior to approval.
“It’s a very draft budget,” DiCamillo said.
