County may tap $4M library fund

During this budget crunch, it is tempting for county leaders to look at the various pots of money from all departments to be able to staunch the bleeding from a $9.9 million deficit for 2010.

One of those funds is the Florida aid to library grant fund, which the state annually dishes out to counties for the operations and maintenance of libraries.

County Commissioner Dave Russell said that trust fund, as he calls it, is already on his "hit list" for tapping.

It is little wonder. There is almost $4 million accumulated in that fund - money that Library Director Barbara Shiflett has rolled over during the years.

"That's a lot of books and magazines," Russell said.

Russell figures about one-third of it could be used for contracted services peripherally related to other budget needs.

"We've accrued a substantial amount in that fund, and we are looking at creative ways of using that funding," Russell said.

For fiscal year 2010, Hernando County's estimated share of state aid to library grant money is an estimated $653,454, down about 10 percent from $725,261 in 2009.

Hernando County received $1 million and $1.9 million respectively in 2008 and 2007.

Russell said he knows the county must stay in the parameters dictated by the state for use of that money.

However, some of those parameters are vague and - while the money cannot be directly transferred to the general fund - it could be used to help offset recurring expenses in other aspects of the budget.

For example, Russell said it is possible it could be used for law enforcement costs.

"That's where we are suffering the greatest deficit, in the sheriff's department," he said.

Russell said the county will do nothing to jeopardize the library system.

"However, if you've accumulated more money than you need to operate, perhaps it's time to look at those funds to be spent on collateral issues," he said.

Except for construction, the state money can be used for any aspect of library operations, including staffing and technology enhancements, said Marian Deeney, library program administrator for the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services.

That money can be rolled over from one year to the next as long as it is earmarked for the purposes intended, Deeney said. It cannot be directly placed in the general fund, she said.

Health and Human Services Director Jean Rags said she recognizes $4 million is attractive. However, with the possibility that state aid will decrease, she said commissioners must be prudent in following the lead of the state, which has been raiding some of their trust funds to make up deficits.

"We need to be cautious in making decisions about future spending," Rags said.

Rags said it is up to Shiflett to monitor the spending of the state fund on the county's four libraries. Shiflett, who makes $93,840 a year including health benefits, was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

Look for the library funding to come up at the budget workshop set for July 28 at the downtown government center.

Russell said this is another one of those funds that have been allowed to grow and has been little used.

For example, county commissioners were able to stave off a planned increase in solid waste assessments after they discovered a $2.1 million excess in the landfill closure fund, a little-known pot of money the county is required to maintain by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.