Is it time for the library to bring back overdue fees?
OK hi! I didn’t manage to watch any of the budget talks but the Citizen has a very extensive writeup or, if you’re so inclined, you can watch what’s gone down so far here. The proposed tax increase, so far, seems to be about what we’d expect based on inflatoin/what we’re seeing in other cities — this isn’t like other recent years where the city is trying to reduce or freeze increases, which requires major cuts or eating into reserve funds, or is trying to catch up with the effects of doing that and facing massive increases. There’s the normal stuff — figuring out whether it’s better to plan to spend X amount on snow removal and building that into the budget, or budgeting less so it looks good on paper but then you have to overspend in order to meet needs, complaints that the province doesn’t contribute enough, etc. The thing that stood out to me in my reading, though, was the discussion around the libary and whether or not is should bring back overdue fees:
The library is seeking an increase of funding to $3,607,790 in 2025, up from $3,421,607.
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Another change has been the elimination of overdue fees, which Burry said represented up to 80 per cent of annual revenues. Sampson said he has struggled with the elimination of those fees when other non-profits in Prince George don't have the luxury of asking the city for funding assistance, pointing out that library expenses outweigh what is spent on running the two local pools.
He said he would be putting forward a motion to limit the library's funding increase to around $80,000 instead of $220,000, tasking the library to do what it can to diversify revenues.
Overdue fee revenues were declining before they were eliminated, Burry said, adding that the library was completely transparent with the city about its intention to do so before it was implemented.
Sampson argued that overdue fees had already been paused when the library made its budget presentation that year. Burry interjected, saying they had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the total elimination of them was separate.
Along a similar line, Ramsay said she would be putting forward a motion on day two to have the library create a five-year financial plan so that the city has some certainty on how much it will have to provide it with each year.
She said she understands the arguments about lowering barriers by keeping fees at the library low, but when the city has to increase the library budget by six figures a year, it might mean having to spend less on things like police and recreation.
Which, yes, true. That said, while the library is asking for a funding increase of $186,183, the proposed increase to the police budget is nearly ten times that, an additional $1,804,785.
Addressing administration’s proposed police service enhancements, which would add four more officers, Rappel said his request is based off of a resource assessment from 2022.
These officers would be sent to local schools to teach kids about crime issues and to deal with crimes committed by or aimed at kids. This includes online targeting of kids, attempts by gangs to recruit at schools and opioid use at schools.
At some schools, intimate partner violence is an issue and Rappel said intervention would help those involved have better outcomes later in life.
Again, sure. I’m not here to say which of these things is better bang for the buck. I am simply noting that like many cities, Prince George is apparently joining the list of those that will quibble over the cost of public libraries due to fiscal responsbility while handing over magnitudes more money to the police.
Here’s more reporting on the budget talks overall, they continue today.
News roundup:
The number of bears killed in Prince George, and the province overall, dropped to record lows last year. Just 8, compared to an all-time high of 76 in 2023.
Transport truck rips out Fabricland sign at Hart Centre Mall. Employees were trapped inside in the aftermath.
Better streetlights mean better security video, public safety committee hears.
Northern Health nurses to hold rally in Vancouver this week.
Kiwanis AleFest gets additional tasting session ahead of this weekend.
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.
It's good public policy to eliminate library fees. This increases utilization of the library and makes life a little easier for seniors and mothers of young children, who tend to be heavier users. Libraries also help people find jobs. They enable immigrants to adjust to Canada and become part of the workforce. And libraries enrich the lives of the very poor and whose with disabilities who can't work. The people who tend to be most dismissive of funding libraries are often working-age males who are on the Internet all day and who can afford streaming services and their own personal computers. I hope people in this category can see the world through the others' eyes and support our local libraries. They are a treasure.