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Posted on Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.

Ann Arbor District Library to consider tax increase

By Tom Perkins

The Ann Arbor District Library will consider a .025 increase in its millage rate as part of its proposed budget.

That would raise the rate from 1.55 to 1.575 mills, and cost a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $2.50 annually.

AADL_downtown_library_December_2011.jpg

The Ann Arbor District Library's downtown library is at Fifth and William.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com file photo

The board of trustees will vote on the budget at its May 6 meeting.

The millage would generate an additional $383,000, but loss of revenue from other sources means the library will only come up with an additional $185,000.

That will go to pay for 3 percent merit raises and give part-time employees a bump to more than $9 an hour.

“This is only the second time in five years that we’ve given raises,” AADL Board President Prue Rosenthal said. “We want to give them raises because they are very deserving and the tax base is doing better.”

Employees didn’t receive any raises from 2008 to 2011, but did receive raises last year. The library has a staff of around 200.

The AADL can levy as much as 1.92 mills and lowered the millage to its current rate in 2008 because of the recession. It generated $11,370,000 last year. The proposed budget for next fiscal year is $12.475 million.

Treasurer Nancy Kaplan said the library isn’t expecting an increase in state aid dollars and is expecting to receive less money on fees and fines.

“We’re trying to make up for where we are not expecting the same revenue we had last year,” she said.

Trustee Ed Surovell expressed opposition to the millage hike. He acknowledged that it is a “diminutive” increase, but said he would have preferred that the board find the savings in the budget.

“I usually believe we can find a way to balance our budget without changing the millage,” he said. “It’s more the way it sounds than the way it is. It sounds like we’re raising taxes, but the amount of money we're raising; it isn’t worth bothering with. I’d rather solve the problem by finding the money in the budget.”

Library patrons outside the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch expressed support for the proposal, though residents will not vote on the increase.

Mark Lister said the addition to his tax bill would be so small that he didn't have an issue with it.

"If there haven't been regular raises the last five, six years and it's that small of an amount, then, yes, I can see where this is a good idea," he said. David Chernin said he was opposed to the Ann Arbor Library bond that was defeated in November, but supported the millage increase for staff raises.

"The employees do a good job and they deserve a raise that will help at least keep up with inflation," he said, adding that would like to see some money go to purchasing more books.

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Contact the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.

Comments

bamwow

Fri, May 10, 2013 : 5:21 p.m.

Do you plan to update the article indicating that the library board voted to keep the tax levy at 1.55 mills? Perhaps those with their undies bundled would like to know they saved themselves a whopping $2.50!

John Floyd

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 4:14 a.m.

Mr. Surovell makes a good point. It is also good to point out that if we are going to pay more tax, it makes more sense to re-fund the schools, and hold the library pat. Lastly, it may be time to re-join the library to the schools, to eliminate any redundant administration costs, and to allow a more rational allocation between education funds spent on classroom instruction, and education funds spent on out-of-class education resources.

Goofus

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 3:20 a.m.

Maybe let me use my out-of-Ann-Arbor library card...like most regional libaries do at each others branches...for special loans, and I might have some sympathy for the poor poor AADL...but...naw. I'll use my card to go to Dexter, Canton, and Ypsi...all 3...instead.

AfterDark

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 3:39 a.m.

Feel free. I doubt few who pay the AADL millage are interested in supporting your unpaid direct usage.

Ms.Rodriguez

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.

As a hard working, tax paying teacher in this district, I borrow hundreds of books a year from the AA public libraries. These books are used for my classroom, for various projects, units and particular students, as well as for my professional development and educational interest. My school, this district, and my salary cannot afford to purchase books regularly. Children need FREE access to books. Adults need FREE access to books. Let us not forget that education is the key to breaking down systemic and generational poverty. Access to the wealth of knowledge the library provides is absolutely important to a community. The AADL should navigate this carefully, but as someone who worked minimum wage for years, their staff works hard, are extremely knowledgeable, and should be paid more.

talker

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.

I agree with Mr. Surovell. Also, there is some tricky wording above. Yes, increasing the hourly wage of lower paid employees has merit, that other salary increase needs to be listed specifically to report the current earnings of those employees and the raises they would get if the millage passed. Small millages after small millages could force some people out of their homes. Why not find funds within the current budget to raise the wages of lower level employees. Also, next time, please try to get library board members to be specific about the higher level salaries they want to increase. This type of transparency should apply to the Ann Arbor Public Schools board, too.

Halter

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 9:07 p.m.

Not for nothing throwing more money at this without a plan and specific funding needs is foolish and again shows that the Library Board just doesn't get it -- people will support something they think is a need, but just saying "we need more money" is going to buy you nothing. Look, 2.50 a year is nothing for most of us. But I would rather see a complete, specific plan demonstrating the need, and I would happily vote in favor of even more. Just nickel-and-diming me, though, because they need more money, is not the way to go.

bamwow

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.

I have an idea for any new posters: Read the article before spouting off. There's no vote to be had, there already was one years ago. Also, if you compare the Ann Arbor Library to others nearby, I'd also check the number of days and hours they operate in comparison to each other. The Ann Arbor library seems to be open longer, comparatively.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:50 p.m.

Too bad we didn't get to vote on this directly. I'm not sure it really matters though with the mostly non-tax paying UofM students being the deciding factor in every election.

talker

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.

Today's students who pay property taxes throught their rents may be gone from Ann Arbor and not paying property taxes here in future years.

Peregrine

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.

@Jay Thomas: Care to back up your "facts" with data? Any student who lives off campus pays property taxes directly or indirectly through rent. How do you know students are the "deciding factor" in "every election"?

A2Onward

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:52 p.m.

You did get to vote on it already, and it passed. The library just hasn't been taking all the tax revenue it was allotted, and now it is.

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:03 p.m.

This 2011 survey lists about three dozen Michigan library systems that have total millages of 1.6 mils or more i.e. higher than Ann Arbor's proposed 1.575. Among those higher are Chelsea, Milan, Albion, Marshall, and even Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. http://www.mla.lib.mi.us/sites/default/files/2011%20PPT%20Analysis%20rev%202.11-8-11.pdf

AfterDark

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 1:57 a.m.

No, it's not a competition. It's not even close. The highest rate listed is almost three times AADL's proposed rate.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.

So it's a competition to see who have the highest millage?

rm1

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:27 p.m.

Nicholas Urfe grouses here: "one wonders when they were going to spring this news on taxpayers?" Please. The fact that the Library had a lot of unused millage authority -- enough, if memory serves, to finance rather more than half the proposed new library -- was prominently featured in the Library's public materials, on AA.com, etc. during the pre-election campaign. If you missed that, you can hardly complain that it's later discussion is "springing" it on taxpayers. And the proposed millage would "cost a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $2.50 annually." Recall that "taxable value" is about half market value. So you're begrudging the Library maybe $5.00/year (federally deductible) to support the excellent, and underpaid, Library staff? Why aren't you embarrassed by this? Whatever the cliches of Library-opponents' rhetoric, these really are just nickels and dimes.

JRW

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5 p.m.

Sorry, but with all the cuts to AAPS and no raises there at all for teachers, I'd say sorry, but NO to any new millages. AA seems to be a city where there is constant nickel and diming going on with millages, Just a small increase for this, just a small increase for that, and the answer is still NO. Find these savings in the budget. Plus, an across the board 3% "merit" raise does not differentiate between employees who are doing an excellent job and those who are slackers. In any case, no new taxes. There are places in the budget to cut. How about starting with cutting that graffiti class that glorifies vandalism? I agree with other posters that having to refinish the floors in the Traverwood branch and close for a week every year is ludicrous. Why wasn't a more durable floor put into the original building? It's a public, high traffic area, not some elite art gallery with a few patrons now and then. VERY poor planning and use of tax dollars. Not one dime more for the library.

Thoughtful

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.

I agree JRW. The AAPS has to cut costs, but the AADL doesn't have to even try. Apparently they are more important.

Steve Bean

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.

Raising the millage for operational costs of this sort is a questionable approach. If "the tax base is doing better", as the board president says, the increased property tax revenues would be an appropriate source for raises. I'm curious what the basis is for Kaplan's statement that fines and fees are anticipated to be lower. Could you find out, Tom?

talker

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 12:47 a.m.

Also, is there any evidence regarding how many in "the tax base " are referred tp bu the tax base is doing better. Many people in my neighborhood have stayed in their houses beyond the years of raising children. In general, when retired many people face increasing property taxes with near zero interest on decades of savings. Keeping their houses and home equity shouldn't be infringed on to pay for such costs as a $250,000 a year school superintendent or an expensive, unneeded new building (not the topic here, I realize). Not laying off employees who do important work such as teaching should be a priority. Don't screw the rank and file or the homeowners while asking for largesse at the top.

Ken

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:46 p.m.

Conventional libraries will soon join the ranks of the dinosaurs, as e-publishing and related technologies continue to proliferate, with no need for a formal library, housed in an expensive building. Vote NO on this millage.

Nicholas Urfe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 8:35 p.m.

Newsflash: many of us borrow a lot of physical books from the library. Many of them are very expensive. TV is overrated.

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.

If conventional libraries disappear the cost of the services they provide will skyrocket. Have you seriously considered the cost of your internet access and electronic toys lately? How freely can you share or resell those eBooks for which you've paid Amazon et al so dearly? And remember, they have the technical ability to grab back your purchase.

catbehindthecouch

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:05 p.m.

The millage has already been approved. There will not be an opportunity to vote. Please read the article!

grye

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.

The question that should be asked to those who are totally against this small increase is, should public employees receive raises or not. If this is truly your opinion, we will always have beginners running our city services and leaving after a year.

Nicholas Urfe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:29 p.m.

So with the failed new library milage, one wonders when they were going to spring this news on taxpayers? I imagine they would have asked for a whole lot more "operational" money to fund that now-failed new library extravaganza.

bruceae

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:05 p.m.

Here's an idea. Everytime I walk into Traverwood the place is full of people from U of M married student housing. They don't pay any property tax and their landlord (U of M) is tax exempt but there they are all using the library on my dime. Why not get rid of the property tax milage all together and charge everyone that uses the library $20.00 a year for their card?

Danai

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.

Ditto what Bob said. (sigh)

bruceae

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:41 p.m.

@Bob: Not me entirely but everyone in Ann Arbor that either owns property and pays taxes or at least contributes because the apartment complex owner pays taxes. I'm tired of taxes going up while U of M continues to take property off the tax roles and their students free load in the library that everyone else in town pays for.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:45 p.m.

They used to get free K-12 education at the expense of the townies but I think the U was eventually made to chip something into the AAPS budget. Right? Maybe the U should pay something for other services its attendees use? I know, I'm a terrible person for even broaching the subject BUT WE ARE BROKE.

CalmDown

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.

I can guess why bruceae THINKS he can tell that the Traverwood patrons are all from UM married student housing, but I bet he won't admit to it.

Bob Zuruncol

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.

Really? You survey all the patrons at the Traverwood Library for their home address? And they're all from U of M Married student Housing. And they're using it on *your dime*. So you're the one supporting the library! Fascinating. And not very credible.

David Cahill

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.

I support this small tax increase, since it is for the benefit of the hard-working Library employees.

Thoughtful

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:03 p.m.

The big picture is that the library is getting a total if $180K, while the AAPS is tanking, and the kids are suffering for it. Priorities.

Tom

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.

Sorry, but I don't use the library and I'd like to see some stats on what proportion of residents actually use it more than 1-2x per year. Rather than raise taxes, why not charge the users a minimal fee, like $0.25 per checked-out book or whatever the need be to cover the needed funds. I know, the library is supposed to be free but these most people are being nickle-dimed to death in taxes, most of which are buried in the cost of goods.

AfterDark

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 3:45 a.m.

Jay Thomas, the library was around before Blockbuster. If you want to examine Blockbuster's demise you need to broaden your vision and look at Netflix, Redbox, Amazon, and various online streaming services. Blockbuster was slow getting onto the alternative distribution train. There was a Blockbuster Express box placed at the Speedway on W. Stadium before the brick & mortar near Busch's closed so Blockbuster was going that route, but they were too late.

AfterDark

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 2:48 a.m.

Cardholders as a Percentage of the Population = 70.5% Usage statistics are available on the library webpage: http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/annualreport/statistics

Peregrine

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.

@Jay Thomas: Let's have an honest discussion. Why do you and others feel free to make "facts" up? I see people checking out books all the time. Next time you're nearby, peek into the return bin and you'll very likely see books there.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.

Basically no one reads the books on the shelves anymore (which take up most of the space). It's all lemme get on the internet and take a movie home so we can put a tax paying business like Blockbuster Video out of business. Should just be called "The Entertainment Center".

Nicholas Urfe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.

There are plenty of towns without library service and they have lower taxes. Perhaps one of those communities would more closely align with your value system.

Jojo B

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.

Tom--You live in a town that values the library system and it will be kept "free." It is a great resource and one day you may actually choose to read something, listen to CD's or even see a movie. Stop in one of the libraries and have a look! Borrowing instead of buying will save you more money than you complain about being hicke-dimed to death about.

Brad

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.

So they are "merit raises", yet everyone will get one and they'll all be the same percentage? What an astounding coincidence.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:38 p.m.

You just can't face the facts that they all merited it. :(

JRW

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:03 p.m.

UM does the same thing. They call them "merit" raises, yet the amounts given to staff have nothing to do with performance. It's about how much you make. Secretaries with higher salaries get less, secretaries with lower salaries get more. That's not a bad plan, but it's hardly merit.

Brad

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:37 p.m.

Sounds like something that would happen at the Lake Woebegon library where all of their employees are above average.

Elijah Shalis

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:04 p.m.

When is the election?

mr_annarbor

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:01 p.m.

The next library board election will be in November 2014. See http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/board for more information.

Tano

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.

AS stated, but not emphasized in the article, there will not be a vote. They have already been approved for a millage level higher than they are using.

TommyJ

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.

"Library patrons outside the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch expressed support for the proposal, though residents will not vote on the increase." A local government entity like that should not be able to levy taxes without a vote. Don't care if it's $2.50 or $.25.

Tano

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:33 p.m.

The vote was already taken. They were approved for a certain millage level and have been using less of it than authorized. Now they will be using a bit more, but still less than what the voters have already approved.

A2Realilty

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.

Some people will complain about anything. I believe that if you give some of the regular posters on AA.com $20, they would complain about you forcing them to figure out what to do with it. This is an extra $2.50 for a home that has a $200,000 market value. Please stop complaining.

Ricardo Queso

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 6:14 p.m.

The taking of others money is the issue, not the amount. But then again, it is quite fashionable to now believe the individual owes all to the bureaucracy.

lynel

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 3:49 a.m.

A2Reality, $2.50 a year, you realize that is almost $0.05 a week!! Why, with that kind of money I could ...I could....NOTHING! It is nothing to a homeowner, let's give it to the library.

Jay Thomas

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:35 p.m.

The peasantry objects, m'lord.

Arieswoman

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.

I would like to see more ebooks. It takes forever to get a hold on an ebook.

bamwow

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 8:49 p.m.

The library doesn't have any control over what e-books are available. That's the publisher's issue. Here's an enlightening article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2012/12/11/the-wrong-war-over-ebooks-publishers-vs-libraries/

Nicholas Urfe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.

You can't hold something that exists only in the aether.

Veracity

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.

I have no reason to doubt that library staff deserve merit salary increases but I am curious about the criteria used to determine merit. And the fact that employees have not had salary increases for several years should not influence the decision to provide one now since most employees in other jobs have not seen salary increases in the last several years. In fact salaries in general have been flat for the last ten years. Another way to view the situation is that the pay increase received by library personnel comes from increased tax payments from Ann Arbor home owners who, by paying a higher millage, actually experience a decrease in their own personal income.

Thoughtful

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:05 p.m.

Sorry, but with so many cuts to the school system, giving merit raises seems like a slap in the face to the teachers and the students who will have services cut. I'd rather throw my $, however "small" in the direction of the schools, not at someone who just got a raise LAST year! Find the savings like the rest of the town, and tighten your belts. We may "support the library'", but we don't support audacity and stupidity.

Thoughtful

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7 p.m.

Yep, the AAPS is wasteful, that's why so many are in favor of disassembling Balas. But as a parent, I find giving money in the direction of the schools far more beneficial than giving a raise to a part time employee. My kids rarely use the public library, since they have one of those new tangled computers, as well as a media center at school. Oh yeah, that's right, maybe not for long if they cut the media center teachers. Good thing someone's getting a raise when 50 teachers are losing their jobs. But I'm sure those part time employees have families to support. For the record, the BOE is pathetic, and the administration in the AAPS is overpaid. What is more important than educating the kids?

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5 p.m.

I also believe the school system is far more wasteful and in need of a thorough public audit. The whole swirl around the superintendent stinks to high heaven.

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:42 p.m.

Part time employees did not get a raise last year, only those who work full time did. The 3% merit raise mentioned only applies to full time employees.

Stephen Lange Ranzini

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:56 a.m.

As a matter of principal, I believe that when a taxing authority decides to increase a millage rate, the media should list the *total* tax millage rate on properties in the jurisdiction and how that compares to adjacent jurisdictions. This is critical information, and yes, easy to find, but readers and voters should be given this information without having to search for it, to be truly informed about the costs and how a "small increase" fits into the overall scheme of things. I would hope AnnArbor.com would adopt this reporting rule in the future, starting with an edit to this article.

A Voice of Reason

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.

Great comment. Also, it would be good to include all funding received vs. just tax base. For example, the AAPS receives X from the community and x from county, state and the federal government.

CalmDown

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.

Information like this would only be truly useful if it also contained, each and every time, a listing of the amenities and services that we get for that millage rate, as well as a comparison of those to adjacent jurisdictions. So anytime information is given out on millages you would expect a summary of everything the city taxes us for. Don't se how that's AA.com's responsibility, and I don't want to read it over and over and over. Listing how much we pay without saying what we get for it is simply a way to encourage the anti-tax for anything crowd.

NE Steward

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:51 p.m.

Could not agree more...! Very good request!

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.

"This is only the second time in five years that we've given raises," AADL Board President Prue Rosenthal said. Wah, wah, wah. Cry me a river. Some of us (ahem.....like me) who work for small businesses haven't seen a raise in almost twice that time. "Bad economy" is what I hear. Apparently, the public sector doesn't worry about that stuff as much as private businesses do?

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.

Do you make less than $9 per hour?

Urban Sombrero

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:47 a.m.

And, before ordmand chimes in with snark, I love my job. I've been there 12 years. It's disconcerting to not have a raise, but I make do. Why can't municipal employees do the same thing?

Jojo B

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:32 a.m.

Against the grain of most commenters, I'm perfectly fine paying a little extra to the library. I'd also be fine with paying more to prevent cuts in our school system. While many may be whining because they want to pay zero property tax to live in Ann Arbor, I actually appreciate paying local taxes and keeping up the level of public services that I value. Modest raises for staff is appropriate and fine. (And I'm sure somebody will reply to me citing various waste in local government and outrageous salaries for a few at the top of the pile and I would agree with you.)

Jojo B

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 8:04 p.m.

@RUKiddingMe -- Actually, I'm not happy about that. But that doesn't change that fact that I believe that the employees should get modest salary increases. Likewise, while you can be disgusted by how much the superintendent of schools makes, that doesn't mean I want to take away all funding from public schools and prevent teachers from ever getting raises.

RUKiddingMe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.

You happy about that wise purchase of the $28000 PR rep, Jojo? Or the week-long yearly maintenance the new library needs because they made such a poor choice on flooring? I assume from your post that if this increase did not happen, the level of services would go down, yes?

Jojo B

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.

@easy123: While I'm sure your response is tongue-in-cheek, I'll respond seriously. I DO donate directly to the library, quite a bit actually. This, however, does not result in part-time employees getting a raise, which I think they deserve. Along the same lines, I would also pay more taxes to keep our school system going, giving teachers the salaries they deserve, not letting go of art/music teachers, and getting resources directly into the classroom, etc. It's up to you and me to help see our money go to the right places rather than to boondoggles that you mention or an outrageous salary to somebody in the stratosphere of the food chain while other people are getting laid off.

easy123

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:21 p.m.

There is a way to do this,please donate directly to the library. That gets the middleman out. This leaves out the others who do not wish to "waste" any more on boondoggles like a conference center.

GoNavy

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:29 a.m.

Part time employees to get $9/hr? No thanks. I'm only slightly less suspicious about full-time raises. Remember the power of compounding, and keep that memory handy when we ask ourselves why public services cost so much: If you earn a 3% raise for 8 years straight, at the end of the 8th year you are earning close to 27% more than when you started. Had the library employees earned the same raises from 2008-2012 (for 12 straight years of 3% raises), then that employee who started in the year 2000 would be earning 47% more in 2012. That's a lot of generosity for simple "merit," which means a raise outside of an increase in responsibility. One shouldn't earn 47% more over the course of 12 years simply for coming in to work and punching the clock. Then again, I work in the private sector.

Tano

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.

Navy style critical thinking, eh? The article says nothing about raises before 2008, therefore we are free to conclude that they got 3% raises every year. The article states that they got a raise last year, and this year, therefor we can safely conclude that they get a raise every year. You can put a nice-sounding label on it, but that is not "critical thinking". It is making stuff up.

GoNavy

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.

@Tano (and arborarmy): The article said two things: That employees had received only two raises in the last 5 years, and that they hadn't received raises in any of 2008-2011. That's where "critical thinking" kicks in. Had employees not received any increases from 2000-2008, I do believe the article would have said so. The article (again) stated that employees had earned raises twice in the last 5 years (so, two times since 2008). If they did not receive raises in 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011, that means they earned (or will earn) consecutive raises in 2012 and 2013 - evidence that raises are annual and generally consecutive, conditions permitting. Critical thinking: Give it a shot.

Tano

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.

Who said anything about getting 3% raises every year for 12 years? You are just making stuff up. The article clearly states that this is the second raise in five years. Which means that even with this small raise, the employees are making less than they did five years ago, when accounting for inflation.

RUKiddingMe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:25 a.m.

I would have much less of a problem with this if: 1) The library had not recently used $28,000 (the maximum allowed without a board vote) to hire a "communications consultant" (PR rep). In addition, the consultant in question has had issues with being seen as having dishonest dealings and preying on small communities 2) Things like A2Comments point out; yes, they DID use some type of flooring (I think maybe the ash they were so proud of spending tremendous amounts of money to use) that requires such delicate, special, expensive care that the library has to be closed to do it. You know, the high-traffic library floors. I'm sure there is room for saving money via better, more well thought out ideas and management. 12.475 million is a lot of money; I'm guessing there's $200,000 or so that could be saved in there someplace. A2.com, can you get us the yearly maintenance cost for Traverwood?

Vivienne Armentrout

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:59 a.m.

I'm happy to pay less than $5 a year more so library employees can be paid decently. Many of us said we opposed a new library building but supported the library. This is a good opportunity to show that. The story doesn't explain that the library is losing tax revenue from the loss of the personal property tax (which is really a tax on business property). They haven't taxed us at the full amount possible for years. This is a very modest amount to increase the millage.

C. Montgomery Burns

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:42 a.m.

No matter how many times you ask, no matter how many different ways you ask, the answer remains "No". Don't you think it's time you stop asking? We do.

Tano

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:24 p.m.

They are not asking. They have been, for some time, authorized to collect a millage level higher than what they are actually using. They have decided to use more of the millage that they have already been approved for. And why do you say "we do"? Are you authorized to speak for anyone other than yourself?

A2comments

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:34 a.m.

How come Traverwood can be shut for up to a week right now for redoing the floors merely 16 months after the last time and no story? Are these "sustainable floors" costing magnitudes more than regular floors? Was it always the plan to close for a week or more every year or so. Regarding their budget, I'd like to see the library board survey us regarding services. For example, the eBook selection could be beefed up but would cost more. How much more and what would that be per taxpayer? We use the library a lot, but I'd like to see less money spent on sustaintainable floors and rusty exteriors...

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.

The eBook service is through an outside agency. I don't think the library can control what's available through it. Cindy1 the books-on-cd collection is pretty large but also very popular. I usually look in the catalog for what I want then place a hold on it rather than hoping to catch specific stuff on the shelf.

Ned Racine

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:35 p.m.

I strongly agree. I love the library system and visit 2-3 times a week. This Traverwood flooring issue is beyond ridiculous. How sustainable is something that needs a week of (costly?) refinishing every 1-2 years? They would have been much better off with tile in a high traffic area.

cindy1

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:26 p.m.

Excellent points. I'm always disappointed in the books-on-CD collection, or lack there of.

Barzoom

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:34 a.m.

While the increase is small, a man can bleed to death from a thousand small cuts.

Howard Beale

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:34 a.m.

"That will go to pay for 3 percent merit raises and give part-time employees a bump to more than $9 an hour."........"Employees didn't receive any raises from 2008 to 2011, but did receive raises last year." Raises? What are those? Haven't had one in 10-years...just glad to have a job.

ordmad

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 5:08 a.m.

Howard Beale: You owe an answer. Your silence suggests you are making a lot more than $480 a week ('$9 an hour FT). Hypocritical is easy to spell.

ordmad

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 5:04 a.m.

A $9.00 an hour part time job is great? Rukiddingme that makes 0 sense. Consistent.

RUKiddingMe

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.

No, ordmad, what's brilliant is only the tax-funded jobs being great, while most of the other ones are crappy.

AfterDark

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:31 p.m.

Howard Beale, do you make less than $9 per hour?

grye

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.

Anyone who hasn't received a raise in the past 6 years is either happy with their job and don't want a raise or isn't competent enough to get a better paying job. Raises are a normal progression in a career, regardless if it is a public or private position.

ordmad

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.

I work with and for the poor. But that's not the point. Whatever the vagaries of my job, why would I wish them upon others which is what you did. It's a small raise to hardly a living wage. I'm happy if an insignificant increase in my taxes can help these employees and our library continue to prosper.

Usual Suspect

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.

or union member

easy123

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.

"ordmad" another condescending reply without much forethought!

Howard Beale

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:38 a.m.

ordnad, on the contrary...I have a wonderful job at a non-profit that assists inner city youth, most of which come from broken families, some of which are victims of drug abuse and gun violence. It is actually quite rewarding. There hasn't been enough money in the budget for staff raises, that is all. So what do we do, we get by with what we have to work with. What type of work do you do, exactly?

ordmad

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.

And others should have poor jobs because you do? Brilliant.

Bcar

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:33 a.m.

Im pretty sure they could come up with the extra $ in the budget, or by modifying fees... guess they didnt get the memo last Nov...

Ron Burgandy

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:23 a.m.

Dream on. We are all tired of being asked to pay more taxes when we are already making personal sacrifices when it comes to our own household budgets.

mr_annarbor

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.

Is less than five bucks a year really going to be such a hardship?

Alan Goldsmith

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 10:15 a.m.

"The millage would generate an additional $383,000, but loss of revenue from other sources means the library will only come up with an additional $185,000." So where does the other money go? Why no explanation? And why does the Library Board refuse to broadcast their meetings live on CTN like almost every other governmental organization in our city?

deletedcomment

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:12 p.m.

@mr_annarbor Five here. Five there. It all adds up.

mr_annarbor

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 1:52 p.m.

The article says, "Treasurer Nancy Kaplan said the library isn't expecting an increase in state aid dollars and is expecting to receive less money on fees and fines."