9/8/2005
Sharon Winkle <swinkle@esls.lib.wi.us> wrote:

Hello-As we enter a period of intensive review of the various components of the City of Sheboygan operational budgets for 2006, I offer this information in response to a rumor I've heard is making the rounds among some alderpersons. The rumor is that the Mead Public Library Board has approved general salary increases for 2005 and 2006 totalling 6%. In fact, the Library Board (upon the recommendation of its Finance Committee) has approved the 2005 expenditure estimate and the 2006 proposed budget on the basis of a 1.5% general salary increase in each of the 2005 and 2006 fiscal years. I understand that this parallels the anticipated general salary increase for General Fund departments. I know that Common Council is facing a series of difficult decisions regarding the City's operational budgets. I also know that the alderpersons prefer to base their decisions on facts with a full understanding of the effects of their actions. To this end, I invite any alderperson who has questions or comments about the Library Board's 2006 proposed budget to contact me for information and discussion. I hope that any revisions to the 2006 budget as proposed by the Library Board will be discussed during the Mayoral Review session, the Common Council Finance Committee budget review, or meetings of the Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee. These forums allow the opportunity for the exchange of information that is critical to effective decision making.

Sharon Winkle

At 01:19 PM 9/8/2005:

Hello Sharon,

I've heard rumors as well, and I believe that going to the source of the information is the best way to get the answer. Could you please tell me how much your raise is going to be in 2006 and how much money you are given for parking your car?

Could you also tell me when the next library board meeting is and if I could be put on the agenda? I would like to give a brief presentation on the financial status of the city and what that means to the library.

Thank you,

Renee Suscha Alderperson

Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2005 15:31:42 -0500

From: Sharon Winkle <swinkle@esls.lib.wi.us>

Subject: Response to your inquiry

To: kmmeyer@esls.lib.wi.us

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Original-recipient: rfc822;kmmeyer@esls.lib.wi.us

Please print and mail to Library Board members without e-mail.

Hello Aid. Suscha~

Thank you for contacting me. In responding to your inquiry, I'm taking the approach that you are asking about the salary increase for the Library Director rather than for information about the projected general salary increase for each of the 2005 and 2006 budget years. (The latter was shared with you and the other alderpersons in my earlier e-mail.)

Library Director's Salary Increase

The Library Director's salary is determined by the salary schedule adopted by the Library Board for all library positions. When a general salary increase is implemented per the "Bylaws and Policy Statements of the Mead Public Library Board" the salary ranges in the salary schedule are all adjusted accordingly, including the salary range for the Library Director. Thus, my salary would increase by 1.5% for 2005 and 1.5% for 2006 if the general salary increase projections hold true. Calculating those percentages yields a salary increase of approximately $1,390 for 2005 and of approximately $1411 for 2006.

Library Director Parking Expense

The Library Board determines on a year-by-year basis whether or not it will pay for the Library Director's parking expense — the fee for a rental space currently located in a city parking lot across the street from the building (Lot # 5). In recent years, the Board has authorized payment or reimbursement of that parking fee. The fee for the rental space in 2005 is $300/year. I understand that the rental fee is scheduled to increase to $324/year for 2006.

Library Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, at 3:30 PM in the Rocca Meeting Room at Mead Public Library. I will add your presentation to the agenda that is prepared for the Library Board President. It will occur early on the agenda for your convenience.

Although Aid. Manny and I keep the Library Board and its Finance Committee informed about the budgetary environment of the City in general, the Library Board will appreciate hearing your perspective. We will e-mail you a copy of the September agenda about one week prior to the meeting for your convenience.

VantageCare Program for Library Employees

At the Common Council meeting of 9/6 you requested that item 11-20 (VantageCare program for library employees) be referred to the Finance Committee. Do you have specific questions about the program that I might address?

Sharon