Rhode Island Library, City
Squabble over Reserve Fund
Cranston (R.I.) Public Library officials are claiming that the city misappropriated all the money in its reserve after the account was discovered zeroed out in July. “The city has dipped into our account and removed, without discussion or consultation, a $145,000 line item,” Trustee Chair Donald Soucy said in the November 7 Cranston Herald, adding that it was “nothing more than stealing.”
City Auditor Cayer Prescott admitted initially that he had made an error in zeroing out the account—which represents the carryover from library-generated revenues from fines, fees, meeting-room rentals, and book sales—and the city finance director said he would introduce an ordinance at a city council meeting to correct the problem. However, no action was taken and the funds had not reappeared as of early November.
Soucy said the city has attempted to acquire the library’s funds in the past. “Every time though, we are able to show it is our money and where we are going to spend it,” he told the Herald. “By nature we are quiet and rational. We make every penny count, and this is how the city rewards us?”
Library Director David Macksam said the board had not yet discussed what to do if the money is not returned, but hinted that legal action was one option. “I think we have been extremely patient and initiated [dialogue] through the appropriate channels, but at this point we feel frustrated,” he said.
Posted November 11, 2002.
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