I have read two letters recently from those who feel the library was shortchanged during this budget cycle. Both letters make some extremely valid points, however I feel one important fact has been missed that everyone should be aware of. There was not a cut or reduction to the library's budget allocation. In fact, since 2014 the library's budget has increased by a little more than 22 per cent each fiscal year.
In 2014, the library's approved budget was $251,178. In 2015, the library requested an increase of $56,00 or 22.3 per cent. Council approved this request and the 2015 approved budget for the library was $307,178. During the 2016 budget process, the library requested an increase of $106,719 or 34 per cent. Council had indicated many times that this was a tough budget year with many tough decisions to be made. With regards to the library, council approved an increase of $76,719 or 24.9 per cent.
Did everyone who receives grant funding from Morinville get an increase or did some have to take an actual decrease from previous years’ request? One has to look at the whole picture to determine if the cup is indeed half full or half empty. I know that I would be extremely excited to receive a 24.9 per cent increase in my pension funding.
Linda Lyons, Morinville
