The East Baton Rouge Parish Library system, which receives around $65 million annually from a dedicated tax millage, is at the center of a financial debate. The tax funds staff salaries, building maintenance, community programs, and new books. However, Mayor-President Sid Edwards proposes reallocating some of that money into the parish’s general fund, aiming to support broader projects such as public safety and infrastructure improvements.
“They have a $114 million fund balance right now,” said Mayor Edwards. “We want to work with the library... We are going to fund the library better than any other library system in the state of Louisiana.”
Mary Stein, the Assistant Director of Libraries, refutes the mayor’s claims about surplus funds. According to her, the library has $92 million in reserve, which is earmarked for future projects and maintenance. “We need those funds. It’s not a surplus,” said Stein. “We’re constantly finding ways to save... so that it’s ready when we’re ready to pull the trigger on the project.”
Mayor Edwards assures that shifting the funds won’t harm the library’s operations. “If the money goes into the general fund, and the library needs a roof replaced or wants to start new programs, that money is still going to be there,” he explained.
Despite the mayor’s reassurances, Stein remains concerned about the library losing financial control. “If we’re folded back into the general fund and no longer controlling our own expenditures, we’re not going to get those expenditures,” she said, adding that northern parish branches are next in line for critical improvements.
The mayor’s proposal will go before the council in March. If approved, it will appear on the October ballot, leaving the library’s future funding in the hands of voters.
Link: The Advocate
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