In response to community feedback gathered earlier this year, the Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees took its first official action in the 2010 budgeting process when it directed staff to reduce salaries for the six highest paid employees, as well as the remainder of the senior administrators, by 3 percent in 2010. A salary freeze will be implemented for the remaining staff, and the library district will spend less money on books and equipment.

These belt-tightening measures are in response to community input regarding a proposed levy increase on the November 3 ballot. If approved, the combination of cuts and levy collections will stabilize library funding through 2014 and maintain current essential services.

The budget reductions will be implemented in 2010 even if the levy increase measure on the November 3 ballot is approved. The ballot measure gives residents the opportunity to approve an increase to the library district's levy rate of 9 cents per $1,000. Approval would mean the owner of a $300,000 home would pay $27 more a year for library services.

If the measure is not approved, open hours will be reduced in addition to other cuts to offset the library's projected $2.5 million shortfall next year.

The Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees will review two preliminary 2010 budgets at its next meeting on September 29. One budget will reflect levy passage and one will reflect levy failure. The Board will approve the 2010 budget at its November 23 meeting.

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