Even the library budget process hasn't been all quiet time this year.

Normally a smooth, silent budget cycle, the proposed fiscal 2014 budget for the Community Library Network has come under scrutiny by some, but is defended by others.

The budget for the network - which has libraries in Hayden, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Spirit Lake, Athol, Harrison and Pinehurst and also has a bookmobile - is proposed to increase from $4.9 million this year to $5.2 million in fiscal 2014.

"Change is a constant and the Community Library Network is adapting to the external forces from demographic and cultural shifts to workforce changes and serving new constituencies," a district statement on the budget to The Press reads.

"How we constitute our organization and human resources to embrace change will determine our future success."

The district is proposing to increase taxes 3 percent, the maximum allowed under law, equating to $97,000.

For the owner of a home with a taxable value of $200,000, the increase would mean $4.64 per year.

John Hartung, the network's director, said the district has increased taxes by the full amount for several consecutive years because, when it went to the taxpayers asking to build facilities with bonds in 1991 and 2005, it said it would need the tax hikes to keep up with maintenance and operation of those buildings.

The proposed budget includes giving all of the district's 89 employees a 2 percent cost of living increase. Most will receive raises of an additional 1 to 5 percent.

Board member Glen Seely last month criticized the proposal, saying the raises overall are too much for a single budget year.

He declined to comment on Tuesday, saying the board and staff administrators are in the midst of hammering out a final budget proposal and he didn't want to jeopardize those talks.

The board will hold another budget workshop on Aug. 23 at the Post Falls Library during its regular meeting from noon to 3 p.m. No public comment on the budget proposal will be accepted at that time.

The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Hayden Library.

Larry Almeida, the network's finance director, said staff believes the raises are warranted.

Most of the 7 percent hikes for 34 employees are for the lower-paying jobs such as circulation specialists. Some of those positions pay $11.11 per hour and they'd pay nearly $12 under the proposal.

Almeida said the network has performed an informal survey, asking what other library districts in the region pay and the increases would bring them closer to the market.

He said salaries are a smaller part of the network's overall budget than other libraries in the region because only 17 of the district's 89 employees are full time. Come October, only 22 of the employees will receive health benefits, he said.

Seely earlier said he was concerned over a proposed 15 percent increase in total personnel costs.

But Hartung said that figure is based on what the district will actually spend this year, which is less than what was projected due to some retirements of long-time employees, and the proposed amount for next year. He said if the amount originally approved for the budget this year is compared to the proposed plan, the increase is 7 percent.

The proposed budget also includes paying for 25 percent of employee families' health insurance. The district currently pays for all of employee insurance costs for those who qualify for benefits and nothing for their families. Network administrators say that proposal would also bring the district closer to the market.

Anne Abrams, the network's community resources administrator, said the scrutiny of the proposed budget has been a good thing.

"We need that so we look even more closely at the way we're doing business," she said.

Give your opinion

n The Community Library Network is offering an online survey conducted at www.communitylibrary.net about its services and what folks value the most. Area residents are invited to participate in the survey through Sunday. The survey, being conducted by Strategic Research Associates, will be a part of the network's strategic plan.