Lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library System, discusses library funding with the Trenton City Commission.TRENTON, Ga. — After the city’s initial budget eliminated funding for the Dade County Library, Trenton officials decided to use about $30,000 in interest earned on sewer department accounts to fund the library.
City commissioners Monday amended the 2011 budget to move the money over. Mayor Barton Harris said the money was about seven years worth of interest on CDs and other investments the sewer department had made.
“We knew it was there, but we hadn’t thought of it,” said Tommy Lawson, who officials said first presented the idea.
On Dec. 30, library supporters pleaded for commissioners to reinstate their $30,000 contribution.
Harris and the commissioners questioned staff Monday about the department’s operations, asking specifically what the library had done to cut its costs.
Lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library System, said employees have not gotten pay increases in at least two years and workers, most of whom earn $8.50 an hour, were being capped at 17 hours a week so the library didn’t have to pay benefits.
“There really is no where else to cut,” she said.
Gordon Baker, president-elect of the Southeastern Library Association, said talk of eliminating funding is scary.
“I have not heard of a funding agency eliminating funding,” Baker said by phone Monday night. “That comes from not seeing a library as an essential part of the community. It’s not a luxury; it’s essential to having an educated electorate.”
But Monday night, everyone seemed relieved that the situation was resolved.
“They’ve had a couple of weeks to find that money, and we’re so thankful for it,” said Eubanks, who said she had not heard about the sewer money transfer until the meeting.
“We told them if we could find the money we would fund them, and we found the money,” City Commissioner Chuck Cannon said after the meeting.
But he and other officials expressed concern earlier in the night about tapping the funds.
“I hate to see us having to pay bills out of interest accounts from the sewer department,” Cannon said during the meeting.
Commissioner Sandra Gray said if sales tax income did not increase, it would be tough for city officials to find another $30,000 in 2012.
“Next year when the budget comes we don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said, looking at the 25 or so library supporters present. “I just want you to be aware of that.”
Contact staff writer Andy Johns at ajohns@timesfree press.com or call 423-757-6324.