Raphael has requested a budget of $45.4 million for the 2004–05 fiscal year, a slight dip from the current $45.5-million budget. Library officials say it would cost $47.5 million to continue current service levels.
“Given where we are with the economy, I think we’re doing the best we can with the limited dollars we have,” Raphael told the Oregonian. “You’re having to cut things that people use when it comes to the library. But we have a lot of other things that the county has to support, so I think we’re doing OK.”
The library’s proposal was part of Multnomah County’s preliminary budget, which was released by county board Chairwoman Diane Linn May 6. After a series of public hearings, the board is scheduled to vote on the final budget June 10.
In an interview with the Oregonian published May 6, Linn apologized to her constituents for “making some mistakes” as the county’s chief executive during the past 10 months, including her handling of last year’s controversy over Raphael’s salary. Without notifying the board, Linn used the county’s legal defense fund to cover the $18,000 difference between the salary Raphael was offered and the amount the board subsequently approved.
Posted May 7, 2004.