OPINION: Library budget and property taxes

Is a library a community center which happens to have books, or a book repository which also serves as a community center? Should it be both?

I stated in one or two Community Library Network budget meetings two personal, somewhat general, budget goals:

1) Attempt to ensure fair compensation for all employees at market or slightly better rates (in accordance with a November 2022 Compensation and Benefit Study Report by McGrath Human Resources Group).

2) Make a concerted effort not to raise property taxes.

As a new trustee, I am approaching the overall budget process with considerable caution. My inclination with any government entity is to champion ways to slash expenses across the board, and to support only that which is constitutionally mandated or considered an essential government service (e.g. fire, police, roads, etc). While Idaho statute supports the existence of libraries, I do consider some aspects of the CLN's offerings to be taxpayer-funded "luxuries."

But, here is where I struggle. What is the current-day core mission of a library? Traditionally, it was a place which provided information assistance, encouraged literacy and procured and lent out books for research or entertainment. It also provided a serene environment for on-site reading enjoyment.

Are libraries, including the CLN, now spread too thin, attempting to be everything for everybody? Besides the traditional role I just mentioned, the CLN offers a wide range of children's programs, adult programs, concerts and musical performances, computers and internet access, CDs, DVDs, music streaming services, free rental of things service, 3D printing, etc. Perhaps the CLN may wish to expand — consider offering theater, and maybe even swimming lessons? Where do Parks & Recreation, Boys and Girls Clubs, fitness centers, science centers, child care centers, community centers and senior centers fit into the picture? Is the CLN duplicating or competing with these organizations?

Somewhere along the way I believe the CLN may need to explore exactly where it properly resides in the community and what services it should really be offering. What is the core mission of the CLN? These are the kinds of things I, as a new trustee, need to explore before the FY25 budget cycle.

In the meantime, that is why I'm being cautious in my approach to the FY24 budget, and why in the meantime I must fall back upon some political party guidance.

In keeping with the Idaho Republican Party Platform, "We believe that tax reductions can be achieved by cutting spending on every level: federal, state and local. We believe that lower taxes will result in increased revenue to the government as the private sector will thrive."

The easy solution to balancing and approving the CLN budget is to raise property taxes; I am not interested in easy. I will continue to work to exhaust all avenues at reducing expenses instead of raising taxes, as some library patrons are requesting. Without raising taxes, the CLN projects it will experience a $100,000 increase in revenue as a result of overall county growth. So, the CLN is already receiving a 1.7% increase in its budget without placing an additional burden on existing property owners. I wish to keep it that way.

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Tom Hanley is vice chairman of the Community Library Network Board of Trustees and a resident of Post Falls.