Do Clarkston residents use the Independence Township Library?
That question was posed at the Feb. 13 Clarkston City Council meeting, as council members debated whether or not to renew their intergovernmental agreement with the township. The agreement that expired Dec. 31 makes library services available to Clarkston residents.
By the end of the night, the board appointed council members Steve Wylie, Kristy Ottman and Cory Johnston to explore funding alternatives to the current agreement.
The meeting lasted nearly three hours and contained some heated exchanges as the council discussed the library and broader financial issues.
‘I don’t tend to use the library much, but obviously a lot of people do. I don’t want to take that away, but based on the figures I’ve seen, we have a tight budget and we have to decide if we can afford it,? said Johnston.
‘I think more (Clarkston) people use the library than they (the board) realize,? said Mayor Sharron Catallo.
‘I think the library is a good thing, but that’s me personally. People expect to get something for their money,? she added. ‘People don’t want you to save their money, they want services.?
‘I’m in favor of doing research and investigating alternatives before signing the contract because we don’t know all the facts and options,? said council member Steve Wylie.
While some audience members spoke in favor of looking at different options, the council members expressed a desire to hear from library users as well.
‘As a governing body, you’re making a decision for everyone and sometime’s there’s more to it. I wish we could get a better barometer. I’d certainly welcome more opinions (from the public),? said council member Dan Colombo.
According to numbers provided by City Manager Art Pappas, Clarkston paid the township $37,109.70 for library services in 2005. He said the total to be paid in 2006 is not yet available.
The meeting marked the second time in the year’s first two months that service fees paid to Independence Township were discussed by the council.
In a previous Jan. 9 meeting, the council renewed the intergovernmental agreement with the township for fire services. The agreement was renewed for three years rather than seven, as the council expressed a desire to discuss what they believe to be a more equitable rate with the township.
‘It’s a delicate dance. I know we’ll be able to come to an amicable agreement with the township. We have to look at everything right now or we’ll be spending more on services than what’s coming in,? said Ottman.
Wylie agreed, saying he’s very happy with relations with the township, but thinks the two bodies need to sit down and discuss the administration surcharge.
Catallo admitted the 10 percent administration fee passed by the township in the early 90’s has always bothered her.
‘I think there needs to be a cap of some sort. They (the township) have to know we can’t continually ante up,? said Catallo.
Throughout the meeting, council members disagreed about the status of the budget.
Wylie presented his interpretation of the 2005 audit and expressed concern over what he believes was significant deterioration of the budget, which showed the 2005 fiscal year concluding June 30 with a surplus of $28. His proposal to form committees to review the DPW, police and city hall functions was not adopted.
‘I’m convinced we need to start cutting spending drastically. We’re basically at the point where there’s no money left,? said Wylie.
Johnston also presented a letter to the council stressing that he believes the library agreement, like the fire agreement, is one that can increase in cost every year at a higher rate than the village’s tax revenues.
‘I just wanted to show the council our revenues are increasing slower than payments we’re making to the township,? said Johnston.
‘I think we need more money in reserves,? said Johnston. ‘I don’t think we can wait until the budget comes up in June when considering these long-term contracts.?
‘I don’t think we have an option. Every single service that our departments provide have to be looked at,? said Ottman.
Colombo and Catallo who served on the budget committee with council member Scott Meyland took offense to the budget criticism.
‘The budget is not easy, especially after what we’ve done (in the recent) past,? said Catallo. ‘Five of those people on the board voted for the budget and didn’t have the questions at the vote, so I don’t know why it’s becoming a pressing issue.?
‘We knew this was going to happen and got more bang for our buck,? said Colombo referring to several community projects completed over the last few years.
‘If you’re new on the job I’m not so sure it’s your job to come in and question everything,? added Colombo during the meeting.