FMB Library Board sets budget/ looks to future
The Fort Myers Beach Library Board of Directors set its budget for fiscal year 2014-15, then discussed its annual plan including updates on the budgeted “Total Solar” energy system project during its regular monthly meeting last week.
The Directors unanimously adopted a millage rate of 0.4358 mills (roll back rate) and a budget of $1,382,140. The 2013-14 budgetary figures supported a millage rate of 0.4599 mills and a budget of $1,394,881.
Large monetary differences from last year’s approved budget involved a reduction in used reserves ($12,974 to $4,000); a reduction in audio-visual purchases ($30,000 to $21,000) under capital outlay; an increase in salaries ($459,835 to $512,462) and payroll taxes ($33,475 to $38,133), but a reduction in accumulated benefits ($9,900 to $4,500) under personnel expenditures; a reduction in utilities ($44,889 to $40,305) and professional data/e-books ($74,781 to $61,000), but an increase in insurance premiums/costs ($71,300 to $77,400) in plant & equipment expenditures; a reduction in professional services ($24,000 to $20,000) and Lee County Tax Collector’s fee ($35,800 to $29,700) in administrative expenditures.
“We are running smooth, smoother than you can ever imagine,” said Director and Secretary Mark LaFave.
The Directors also adopted the Beach Library’s 2014-15 annual plan, which is included in state aid grant application.
According to FMB Library Director Dr. Leroy Hommerding, this year’s 10-point plan involves 1) the continued development of the e-book collection, assessment of usage patterns and the development of color-coded collections in non-fiction collection; 2) continued work toward an overall plan for Total Solar; 3) reviewal of landscape exterior signage hand in hand with solar site plan; 4) the continued establishment of an active Community Room program accessible to community groups and increased library service; 5) the continued increase of awareness and use of available databases, catalog and Internet access; 6) the desire to have children’s programming meeting the varied needs of families; 7) the desire to have displays throughout the library promoting available resources and collection treasures; 8) the desire to provide information on popular cultural and social trends as well as general information to inquiries; 9) the desire to provide materials and information to assist people with their self-directed, personal growth and community involvement; and 10) the continued desire to be a member of the Southwest Florida Library Network consortium, sharing resources with other libraries and benefiting from staff training and shared ideas and promote greater awareness among legislators of library needs.
Total Solar is an intriguing concept that was approved to be a budget line item prior to last year’s budget adoption. The idea is for the island library to become energy independent and possibly generate more energy than needed. That excess energy would be used in a public grid, and Florida Power & Light would subtract the cost from what is used each month.
Hommerding has estimated payback in 12 years and implementation could begin in 2015.
An artist is currently working with engineers on a modern art “solar tree” that features solar panels and is rust-resistant, withstands saltwater and air and withstands winds up to 150 mph.
Donations continue to pour in to the library fund. Since July 1, 2014, people have contributed $1,545.48. Overall donations were reported to total almost $15,000.
The Beach Library will move its November meeting to the third Tuesday that month (Nov. 18) instead of the regularly scheduled fourth Tuesday, which is close to the Thanksgiving holiday. The Directors also unanimously approved to close the library at 4 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Eve); Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve); and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).
During the director’s report, Hommerding stated he was not pleased with the Beach Fire Department’s annual inspection of the library building. Some of the reported infractions were scheduled to be taken care of in the near future.
“I had the exit signs and the emergency lights scheduled for November. It would seem to me they would ask what the maintenance schedule is,” he said. “Then there were about 18 issues that they called attention to, that they should have called attention to at the time of the certificate of occupancy.”
While it has been roughly 1-1/2 years since the new library project was completed, officials from Manhattan construction and subcontractors are resolving issues even though they had no obligation to do so.
Having a ‘new’ fire inspector come in unannounced with another interpretation appeared to build the level of frustration.
“I understand why there is such a negative feeling between condo owners and business owners here on the Beach about the program,” Hommerding said. “If they continue to do this, I have no doubt in my mind that there will be a backlash. Common sense has to rule.”
Director Karen Swanbeck asked Hommerding to informally meet with one or two of the fire board commissioners and bring up the issue.
The third floor cafeteria is expected to re-open next Monday, Oct. 6.
As far as activity numbers, there were 12 programs with an attendance of 101 people and eight children’s programs with 194 in attendance in July. In August, there were 10 adult programs with 99 participating and five children’s programs with 114 involved.
The Beach Library added 118 new patrons in July, while 12,488 people used the library that month. In August, the library added 90 new patrons and took in 11,472 overall that month.