Question

Here’s how the Niles Library manages your tax dollars: The current Budget is about $8, 492, 000 (an increased from last year) The Library now wants to transfer $5, 200, 000 of that budget into Special Reserve, leaving $2, 800, 000 for operating expenses. Note: Money in the Special Reserve can ONLY be used for Capital Expenses. Also, it cannot be transferred back into the General Fund. Therefore, if more money is needed for operating expensed the library will again call for another tax levy increase even if they have millions in Special Reserve. Does this make sense to you? Board Meeting is tonight at the Library at 7:00pm

Answer 1

Nope, not one bit.  

Answer 2

I don’t want to give anymore dollars to library. They get too much as it is. They can get money other ways, charge for library card, charge higher fees for late books. not everyone uses libraries now.  

Comments

Or park ridge library charges 1 dollar to use their computers if you are not a Pr cardholder or resident

Answer 3

Everyone on that library board needs to go! They are all crazy, especially the president!  

Comments

Really, why do you say so?  

Answer 4

And their nice fat salaries must be nice

Comments

Hi @beriberi. Which salaries are you referring to? Library Board members are all volunteers with no compensation for the work that they do.  

Answer 5

So what is the special reserve for?  

Comments

Hi @beriberi, see my response to @proprietary below.  

Answer 6

CANNOT WAIT TO OPEN MY TAX BILL FEB 1 - THE LIBRARY LEVIED THE TAXES IN THE LATE FALL, here is a GRAND idea, cut your ridiculous over programing! SO many employees, yet we have self check out. The front desk area should be a skeleton crew! Maybe if they do those simple things and much more they wouldn't have to ask TAX PAYERS FOR MORE $$$$$$$$ COME AND SIT WE ME @ THE MONTHLY BOARD MEETING! I have been attending for the past year and they are pretty shocking as to what is unfolding! These board members are "representing" your interests and spending your hard earned dollars.  

Comments

Hi @steffy267. Which programs would you cut, and would you tell the residents, whose tax dollars pay for those programs, that what they want their tax dollars used for is not important?  

Answer 7

Again I hope every one of you was at the library board meeting a few months ago where the tax levy was discussed and voted on. The only way they will learn is if we make a grand stand. They do not care about your money. In their eyes your money is their money. You do not deserve it in their eyes, they do.  

Comments

Actually, as every Board member is a resident, it is their money too.  

Answer 8

Why don’t we all get out of our nice comfy chairs tonight and go to the meeting.  

Comments

@defalcate wish I knew, with this group at least we’ll be more informed and need to speak up and show up.  

Answer 9

Here you go.  

Answer 10

Something in this post doesn't sound right or meaningful. Budgets are on an annual basis, aren't they? Even if the library were to run out of money in this fiscal year, they can't ask for another tax increase - these things aren't so simple or quick. Is the library planning on allocating $5 mil every year? Surely, they don't. Has anyone bothered to ask whether there are any planned capital expenditures? Those projects take time, are quite expensive, and can seldom be financed out of the operating budget. Indeed, more people should attend those meetings so they can learn directly from the source how do governments operate instead of making vague and unfounded assumptions.  

Comments

Hi @proprietary, Budgets are on an annual basis. If the Library ran out of money, the Board could not ask for a tax increase. Though the staff and trustees monitor expenditures closely so that running out of money is not going to happen. Tax money comes from the state in two payments each year and a change to the levy which determines the tax allocation to the residents occurs once each year, in the fall, over a series of meetings. So, yes it isn't so simple or quick. Transfers of money from the general fund to special reserve funds does not happen very often. The last time the Board did so for four years or so ago. The projects do take time, are expensive and are generally not financed out of the operating budget. There are projects that are known, like the current roof project the recent chiller replacement and the server replacements and then there are building maintenance projects that every large building will undertake at some time in the future such as window replacements, carpeting, tuck pointing, parking lot replacement, bathroom room renovations, and so forth, the things that will assuredly need to be done. Funds are periodically transferred from the general fund to the special reserve fund in order to have the funds available when they are needed for these large-scale expenditures. This is planning for the future needs of the Library. If this is not done and no funds are ever put aside, then when these large scale projects need to be done, the Board at that time will either need to radically raise the levy to tax the residents or take out bonds thus incurring interest fees which is an additional cost to the tax payers. We have a large library building and grounds that need to be maintained. The question is do we put money aside for the costs to do so now or not? It's really a pretty simple equation. Absolutely, people should attend the meetings and engage in calm non-prejudicial discussions.  

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The above is not an official Library Board response but only my views as a resident.  

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@rectal as a government employee and a finance person, yes, I agree with every single statement of yours. I was amused at the indignant comments prior to mine which portrayed every single action, which you described so well, as abominable :)

Answer 11

Yes more people need to go to these meetings. I had a chance to go to one and it was interesting besides being really disgusting!  

Comments

Hi @derward, what was disgusting about the meeting?  

Answer 12

The Niles Journal posted an article of what is going on. in a few days please watch the library video for the board meeting.  

Answer 13

HASHTAG! #TermLimits! 2020!  

Answer 14

Tax bill came today !  

Answer 15

Now that it is Niles-Maine township library, isn't their tax base vastly increased as well? I would think this would decrease the tax levy, spread over more properties, not increase it. Boards can be dangerous in their spending if not held accountable by the public at all times. I will be learning more and paying closer attention going forward

Answer 16

It has always served Niles and Maine Townships residents it just changed the official name to include Maine.  

Comments

I was not aware. I know Niles cocers both, but the name change gave me the impression of a merger. Thanks @lael5. You're always in the know