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July 18, 2010
Burlco Freeholders approve library budget; library tax remains stable
July 15,2010
http://www.phillyburbs.com
By: Danielle Camilli
Burlington County Times
MOUNT HOLLY — The Board of Freeholders Wednesday approved the Burlington County Library System’s $11.7 million budget for 2010 that reduces spending while maintaining services and holding the line on the county library tax.
The spending plan is about $5,000 less than last year and reduced the amount to be raised by taxation by $202,557, officials said. The library will used $585,900 from its fund balance, which includes surplus and revenue generated through the year, to fund its operating budget.
Library officials reduced spending in travel, renovations, education and training for employees, public relations and marketing and support to its nine member libraries. Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart cast the lone no vote on the budget due to the 83 percent cut to the member libraries, saying it hurt the already struggling libraries and could have easily been funded under the spending plan.
Member libraries are located in Beverly, Burlington City, Chesterfield, Delanco, Florence, Mount Holly, Riverside, Southampton and New Gretna.
The BCLS branches are the library headquarters in Westampton and the libraries in Bordetown Township, Cinnaminson, Evesham, Medford, Maple Shade, Pemberton Township and Riverton. The library system also operates its Bookmobile, “Library on Wheels,” with various stops throughout the county with more than 4,000 selections for patrons.
It is also increased spending for some line items. The library will spend 7 percent more, or $38,759, in centralized purchasing for library materials, including books, DVDs and CDS, in an effort to maintain current levels. Reductions in state aid resulted in cost-shifting this core library function to the dedicated-tax budget, officials said.
Posted by tumulty at July 18, 2010 3:40 PM
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