Library presents FY2024-25 budget request including $170,000 ongoing for expanded TGIF concerts and potential staff-position cuts

Fiona Everett, senior management analyst, reviewed the Library and Cultural Arts department's proposed fiscal year 2024-25 budget and highlighted key changes and priorities.

Everett said the department's operating budget has declined by about 7% over five years while personnel costs rose modestly with wage and benefit changes; full-time staffing currently totals 53 positions (53.42 full-time equivalents). She explained the department reduced open hours after the pandemic (remains closed on Sundays and closes at 8 p.m. instead of 9), which lowered operating costs and utility expenses.

Everett outlined one significant budget request: an ongoing $170,000 addition to maintenance and operations to support expanding the TGIF concert series from six to nine concerts and to cover related security enhancements. She described the current maintenance and operations adopted budget at about $1,900,000 and said the requested increase would bring M&O to roughly $2,077,000.

She also noted two vacant positions on the citywide list under consideration for cuts: a production technician supporting Schulman Auditorium AV/front-of-house operations and a second librarian for genealogy and local history. Those positions are vacant and would not cause layoffs if cut; Everett said final decisions rest with the city council.

Everett said the department supplements general fund resources with special revenue funds, Friends donations and endowments that support programming such as Carlsbad Reads Together and summer reading. She will return to the board in May after the city council's budget review to request trustee concurrence on the final council decisions.