TAMRMS#: B05
6.14
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St. Albert Library Funding
Notice given by: Councillor Biermanski
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
recommendation
That funding to the St. Albert Library before any additional business cases is reduced by $30,000 to $4,988,700.
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Administration's Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
That administration reduces the 2026 funding for the Library by $30,000 and reduce the 2026 tax base accordingly.
SUMMARY
After council provided extra funding to extend Jensen Lakes' hours for the 2025 budget, a reduction would be a step back and will result in the reduction of services.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
With multiple efficiencies created and several recent cuts to library personnel, the library has worked hard to create a budget that has remained static over the past few years. The downtown library continues to operate on reduced operating hours because of continued budget restraints since the COVID 19 pandemic.
Of further negative impact to the 2026 operating budget is a recent decision by the provincial government to end our on-going grant for jobseekers via the CRC grant (Career Resource Center). Over the last 10+ years, the library budget has been dependent on funding for this valuable community service, which has contributed an average of $78,000 a year to the library budget.
Beginning in April 2026, our funding will cease, which will put us in a deficit situation for our 2026 budget year. A further reduction of $30,000 (total $108,000) would result in a reduction of equivalent to 1 FTE (salary plus benefits)
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
None at this time.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved, the Library funding will be reduced by $30,000 which will result in a corresponding reduction to the 2026 tax levy.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
Even with the loss of the CRC grant funding, the libra...
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