Mountain View County council has approved the 2019 Parkland Regional Library (PRL) budget, which calls for contribution by the county of $8.25 per capita.
The move was made by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The PRL library service allocations for 2019 are for the Carstairs, Cremona, Didsbury, Olds, Sundre and Water Valley libraries.
In all, the county per capita contribution totals $107,860 for a total population of 13,074. The contribution represents a 1.6 per cent increase over 2018.
“Parkland Regional Library supports its members through cooperation, innovation and services by providing human and material support services as needed by the libraries,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
The PRL’s budget projects for 2019 use the information supplied by the public library services branch of Alberta Municipal Affairs, council heard.
“For 2019, we project the provincial operating grant to regional systems will remain at $4.70 per capita and $5.55 per capita for the rural library service grant. We also assume that grant levels will be based on 2016 population statistics. Provincial grants amount to approximately 45.5 per cent of PRL’s total income.”
The PRL board is expected to review the proposed 2019 budget on Nov. 8.
Meanwhile, councillors were given an update on Strings & Keys music education fund, created several years ago as a legacy from the former annual Strings & Keys music workshop in Bergen.
In all, $2,500 was allocated in 2018 as approved by the Strings & Keys Funding Committee.
“This fund is to support individuals requiring financial assistance for the cost of musician education,” administration said. “Project shall support music initiatives such as private music lessons, instrumental rental and maintenance, summer music programs, post- secondary music education, and travel to auditions or competitions.”
The scholarships are directed to individuals who are residents of the county up to the age of 25 years.
