DIDSBURY - The proposed 2020 Didsbury Municipal Library budget has been presented to council.
“We have received wonderful news from the province. Not only are they maintaining levels of funding for libraries, but we will be receiving a 50 per cent advance on our public library operating grant amount,” said manager Monique Fiedler. “This demonstration of support is incredibly heartening.”
The budget calls for total revenue of $375,635, down from $382,435 in 2019.
Revenue projected includes $261,135 from municipal appropriation (same as in 2019), $12,300 from rural service grant, $27,500 from provincial grant, and $38,500 from county grant.
Book sales are projected bring in $800, and $2,000 from fundraising events.
Expenses are projected to be $375,635, down from $382,435.
Total staff expenses are projected to be $308,700, down from $315,735 in 2019. Other projected expenses including $5,685 for book purchase, $5,000 for audio-visual materials, $1,900 for periodicals, and $11,400 for janitorial services.
“We are carefully considering other sources of funding, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and meeting the evident need in our community for these services,” she said. “It’s in unprecedented times like these that libraries are an indispensible resource to the community.”
Mayor Rhonda Hunter said council will be considering the proposed budget in the coming weeks.
Council accepted the proposed budget and delegation presentation as information.
