By: Sheila Crowley
Staffwriter
The Murray County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 4th.
Amongst the topics was discussion regarding the recent request from the Plum Creek Library to provide additional funding. Considerations for the additional funding included a new county funding formula so each library receives no less than the amount of funding it currently receives, known as hold harmless. The biggest hurdle in the discussion was having each library get more of a 50/50 split. The current Maintenance of Effort level relies on usage measures such as circulation or patron traffic causing the funding to fluctuate. A proposed formula is based on flat percentage and provides stability in each library’s funding. The 2019 proposal has Fulda receiving $24,946 while the Slayton library will be on the receiving end of $36,599. By the end of 2021 the formula has $30,285 going to Fulda and $37,015 to Slayton. Thiner’s only request was make sure the Fulda Library increased to 40 operational hours…currently they are at 32. “I feel this will help increase their circulation as well,” he said. His motion to provide the increased funding was contingent on the City of Fulda having the library open at least 40 hours a week. The motion was approved.
To read the rest of this article – pick up a copy of this weeks Fulda Free Press or subscribe to our e-edition at http://eedition.fuldafreepress.net/sub/account_login.asp
