FMB Library Board sets budget hearings
The Fort Myers Beach Library District Board has set two required budget hearing dates for fiscal year 2015/16 in accordance with state regulations. The Board of Directors approved to conduct its first hearing on Friday, Sept. 11 and its final budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Both hearing times are at 5:30 p.m., and a regular meeting will follow on Sept. 22, at 6:30.
Last year, the Directors unanimously adopted a millage rate of 0.4358 mills (the roll back rate) and a budget of $1,382,140. Preliminary numbers for 2015/16 have yet to be established.
“Most of our discussion is always at the first hearing,” said Director Mark Lafave. “I always encourage members of the public who really want some serious input to come to the first hearing.”
One budgetary item has witnessed an increase for the upcoming fiscal year.
Each year, the Beach Library receives state aid grant funds to help in its budget process. Last year, it collected $14,000. This year, due to credit for library construction, state aid grant funds total $45,182.
With that in mind, library officials are hoping to reduce the millage rate.
Donations continue to pour in to the library fund. Since its May 26 meeting, people have contributed $731.
The Library Board is one member shy since a director resigned last month. According to Dr. Leroy Hommerding, the library director, Alison Throckmorton, who was one of the latest board members to be voted in, resigned due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Her replacement will come via the state governor appointment office, which could take up to 90 days.
Hommerding reported that the state office has begun the process and that Beach resident Ed Scott submitted an application for the open position.
“The process takes time,” Hommerding said.
Display kiosks are being entertained at the Beach Library. The features are part of the original construction furniture that is already budgeted.
Hommerding said the makeup of each display kiosk would be “simple stands” with a narrow holder and a iPad or tablet attached on top. One example is to have one stationed at the Sand Gallery on the third floor.
“It would be really nice to have people see part of the sand sculpture being created along with some comments from the sand sculptors in addition to what they like and don’t like,” he said. “It’s a way of getting people a little bit more involved in the display itself.”
Comments on the display would be possible.
“Artists particularly would really welcome how the public is interacting with their work,” Hommerding said. “This will give us an opportunity to work in that direction.”
Discussions also centered on surveillance equipment. Currently, only 24 hours of surveillance is recorded with review afterwards. Extended memory footage could be updated in future years.
“We can explore that when we get to that point,” said Hommerding.
The Library Board meets each month on the fourth Thursday. It meets next in the conference room on the third floor on July 28, at 6:30 p.m. In that meeting, the tentative millage rate will be discussed and potentially approved.