The cuts will also include reductions in programming and elimination of employee training and cell phones, library advertising, new computer hardware and software, and other services, the Bay City Times reported December 5.
The cost-cutting plan adopted by the board—one of five options developed by staff to reconfigure services—will keep the system’s two outlying branches open two days a week. “This was not a punitive decision, but a decision made to keep somewhat of a system,” said trustee James E. Davison.
The library’s fiscal picture was further exacerbated December 5 when county commissioners voted to not allocate $159,511 to six agencies, including the library system. The move rectifies a bureaucratic mistake that saw the county continue to pass on funds that should have been curtailed when the state eliminated revenue sharing two years ago, the Times explained December 6. The library had been receiving nearly $50,000 each year under the system. “We just have to deal with it like all the other units that will have to deal with the cut,” said library Assistant Director Kevin Ayala.
Meanwhile, an October 23, 2007, trial date has been set for a wrongful discharge lawsuit filed by fired Library Director Frederick J. Paffhausen, who is seeking over $75,000 in damages in each of six separate counts. The Times reported November 20 that the board’s decision to force former Director Linda Heemstra into retirement two years ago, only to bring her back this year after firing her replacement, Paffhausen, in March, was a factor in the tax renewal’s defeat.
Posted December 8, 2006.