Open book with budget

Coeur d’Alene Public Library trustees unanimously approved a proposed 2023-24 budget of nearly $2 million on Tuesday.

It includes about $1.5 million for staff wages and benefits. It also calls for $190,000 for new books, the same as last year.

Trustee Katie Sayler liked what she heard.

“Very impressive,” she said.

It is estimated that about 300,000 people visit the Coeur d’Alene Public Library each year.

The proposed budget is basically flat from the $1.95 million 2022-23 budget and up about 12% from the 2020-21 budget.

The bulk of library revenue, $1.8 million, will come from property taxes. The library has $162,000 in cash.

Michael Priest, library director, wrote that the budget process "is not particularly complex since payroll, services and supplies make up the vast majority of our outlay."

He said the library is on track to come in under budget in almost every category under services and supplies, which, at a total of $230,000, is almost unchanged since 2020.

“As you know, we’re pretty fiscally responsible,” Priest told the board.

Priest will submit a proposed budget to the city’s finance department by May 5. A final budget plan will be prepared for City Council consideration later this year.

“It’s a long road,” Priest said.