2021 Budget Update

 Submitted by Anna Lyle

Last Thursday, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners (BOC) adopted its 2021 budget.  Despite earlier concerns about potential negative impacts of the pandemic on library funding, the BOC is increasing our funding by almost $250,000 annually. 

An increase of $54,253 will enable us to upgrade two 25-hour Info Specialist/Youth Specialist positions to full-time, with health insurance eligibility.  25-hour Youth Specialists will have the opportunity to apply for a full-time Youth Specialist position at the Post Road Library.  25-hour Information Specialists will have the opportunity to apply for a full-time Information Specialist position at the Hampton Park Library.  These positions will be posted soon by Human Resources.

An increase of $71,319 will fund miscellaneous operations expenses, such as IT maintenance, landscaping, equipment, and postage. 

An $18,300 increase will fund ½ of ongoing bookmobile expenses.  The other ½ was included in the 2020 budget. 

I’m also pleased to share that an increase of $105,816 will fund a 2% pay increase for staff.  The increase will be a cost of living adjustment (COLA).  Per the Personnel Policy Manual, this increase will be “applied ‘across the board’ to all employees at the same time and would result in an updated pay scale.” 

With these increases, the County’s 2021 budget includes $7,297,601 in direct funding for the library.  The Library also receives $94,409 in indirect funding, as the County incurs gasoline, vehicle maintenance, and risk management (liability, vehicle, and workers compensation insurance) expenses on our behalf.

The County’s 2021 capital budget includes $1,250,000 to replace the roof of the Cumming Library.  This will be combined with $250,000 included in the 2020 capital budget to complete this project estimated at $1,500,000.  The bid process for this project is underway.

As the 2021 budget process finally wraps up, we have already started the Fiscal Year 2022 and County (Calendar Year) 2022 budget planning process.  I hesitate to thank individuals because so many staff contribute to the budget, but kudos to Nikki, Tonya, Stephen, Holly, and Jeff for your budget work.  Thank you to all the managers and supervisors who identify needs and help us prioritize.  Thank you to every staff member for providing our patrons with positive library experiences that establish the library as a trusted, trustworthy steward of public funds.