Library Board adopts 2022 budget

With all its members present and a related resolution the main item of business, the Putnam County Public Library’s board of trustees adopted its budget for next year Wednesday evening.

Overall, the 2022 budget in total is set at $1,218,931.

The more notable items set out in the budget are those for full-time and part-time assistants, group insurance, furniture and equipment and the Rainy Day Fund.

Compared to $504,700 for 2021, the 2022 budget for assistant salaries is set at $543,989. Meanwhile, group insurance will rise from $85,000 for 2021 to $109,558 for 2022.

A new wage schedule was recently adopted in which part-time hourly wages was increased by a dollar-plus and full-time given a uniform increase of $2,000.

Funding for furniture and equipment, however, will be at $53,992, compared to $82,421 for 2021. Meanwhile, the Rainy Day Fund is set at $50,000, compared to $65,000 for 2021.

While the Rainy Day Fund will not impact it, the overall adopted tax levy will be $680,263.

In other business:

• Mark Hammer of Hammer and Swigart reported that the library still had more than 30 percent of its budget left for the year.

Joining the board for the meeting were Director Matt McClelland and Treasurer and Assistant Director Jane Hazelton.

The next meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room at the library. This will be a week earlier due to the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 25.