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RIFLE, Colorado — Like other local taxing entities, the Garfield County Public Library District is experiencing a downturn in sales tax revenues used to operate libraries in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Parachute.
The library district saw a fifth straight month of declines in sales tax revenues in May (April collections), when the 0.25 percent sales tax used to fund the six-branch library district generated $192,135. That was compared to a budget of $337,455 in sales tax revenues for the month, according to the library district's profit and loss statement for May.
Year to date (January through May), sales tax revenues are down about $251,218 compared to budget projections.
The library district was formed in 2006 when county voters agreed to remove the library from county control. Voters also agreed to keep the existing 0.25 percent sales tax in place which had funded the library system since the early 1980s.
In addition, voters approved a 20-year, 1 mill property tax levy to fund new libraries in each of the communities. That money is completely separate from operating funds, library district Executive Director Amelia Shelley said.
The budget report and preliminary planning for the 2010 budget will be discussed at tonight's library district board meeting in New Castle, beginning at 6 p.m.
“We will be talking about how to prepare in light of the declining revenues this year, and how we need to scale back looking forward,” Shelley said.
“Mainly, what we're trying to do as a district is to keep tight belts in the operations of our libraries,” she said.
Branch library managers are being asked to watch general expenses. Districtwide, the summer reading series programs were cut to once every two weeks this summer instead of every week.
At the same time revenues are declining, though, demand for library services is up, Shelley said.
Circulation at the six branches combined is up 45 percent this year compared to last year, and the number of people walking in the doors is up about 25 percent, she said.
“With the economy, I think people are checking out free books instead of buying them,” Shelley said.
Although the district has not implemented a hiring freeze, two positions were not filled after people left, and any others that open up will be closely evaluated, she said.
“Luckily, we do have good reserves,” she said. “We know we may have to dip into them some, but we're trying hard not to do that.”
jstroud@postindependent.com
The library district saw a fifth straight month of declines in sales tax revenues in May (April collections), when the 0.25 percent sales tax used to fund the six-branch library district generated $192,135. That was compared to a budget of $337,455 in sales tax revenues for the month, according to the library district's profit and loss statement for May.
Year to date (January through May), sales tax revenues are down about $251,218 compared to budget projections.
The library district was formed in 2006 when county voters agreed to remove the library from county control. Voters also agreed to keep the existing 0.25 percent sales tax in place which had funded the library system since the early 1980s.
In addition, voters approved a 20-year, 1 mill property tax levy to fund new libraries in each of the communities. That money is completely separate from operating funds, library district Executive Director Amelia Shelley said.
The budget report and preliminary planning for the 2010 budget will be discussed at tonight's library district board meeting in New Castle, beginning at 6 p.m.
“We will be talking about how to prepare in light of the declining revenues this year, and how we need to scale back looking forward,” Shelley said.
“Mainly, what we're trying to do as a district is to keep tight belts in the operations of our libraries,” she said.
Branch library managers are being asked to watch general expenses. Districtwide, the summer reading series programs were cut to once every two weeks this summer instead of every week.
At the same time revenues are declining, though, demand for library services is up, Shelley said.
Circulation at the six branches combined is up 45 percent this year compared to last year, and the number of people walking in the doors is up about 25 percent, she said.
“With the economy, I think people are checking out free books instead of buying them,” Shelley said.
Although the district has not implemented a hiring freeze, two positions were not filled after people left, and any others that open up will be closely evaluated, she said.
“Luckily, we do have good reserves,” she said. “We know we may have to dip into them some, but we're trying hard not to do that.”
jstroud@postindependent.com
