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Library growth changes request

Rimbey town council is once again reviewing requests for budget deliberations

Rimbey town council is once again reviewing requests for budget deliberations; so last-minute confusions are being ironed out between council and community organizations.

Town council’s Jan. 28 meeting was attended by Rimbey library manager Jean Keetch, to explain changes with the library requisition.

Because the library has made a deal to buy the town’s side of the administration building budget numbers have changed. The original requisition was $81,805, but was reduced with the $1 sale of the building.

The budget was set assuming the town would still cover the utilities the town already paid for. “Instead of you sending us a bill and us sending you a cheque, it was just easier to reduce our requisition by $8,100 and you cover the expenses,” said Keetch.

“So if you leave in say July and then everything becomes ours and all the expenses fall on us, then we would like back the portion of our requisition that has not yet been spent,” she added.

If the town vacates the building July 1 Keetch is asking for $4,000 of the $8,100 to be returned. However, what is returned to the library is proportional to how long the town stays in that building. If they leave later than July then less than $4,000 will be given back.

“So we’re not asking you to give extra … the cost is not different to you, it’s just instead of you covering the costs you’re giving us the money to cover the costs,” said Keetch.

Council is unable to give Keetch an answer until the budget is set. However the councillors and Mayor Sheldon Ibbotson agreed Keetch’s request was understandable. Council also recognized that in the future more money will need to go to the library for adequate staffing.