By Jeff Kenney Staff Writer
CULVER — The Culver-Union Twp. Public Library is a year and a half away from “serious financial problems” according to newest board member Alfred Nyby, who distributed a sheet to other board members at the library board’s June meeting.
Nyby’s calculations estimated that, based on current rate of library spending, expenditures from June through Dec. 31, 2008 would equal about $323,810. He estimated library income at $338,400 by that date.

For 2009, however, Nyby said he estimated an income of around $430,000 for the library’s operating budget and expenditures of $545,000 (all based on the annual budget and receipt increase plus 5% of each), a deficit of over $100,000.
“At the end of next year, the operating fund will be broke,” said Nyby. “I think we have less than two years to cut $100,000 out of the operating budget.”
“Two year ago, we exceeded receipts by $80,000,” he continued. “Last year by a little over $100,000. This year we will exceed receipts by over $100,000. You can’t continue to spend more than you take in without going broke.”
Board members expressed a need to look over the figures Nyby presented. Board member Carol Saft noted that in her own professional budgeting process, she takes the last five years of her actual budget and examines her expenses; she asked if the board could get an account like that of the past five years, which library director Carol Jackson said they could. Nyby suggested a freeze on hiring and any unnecessary expenditures until the matter is figured out.
Jackson reported that she has to have next year’s budget paperwork to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance by July for approval before the library board can start the budget process for next year. She added that the DLGF will assign the library an assessed valuation number, without which “I can’t do anything definite.” She noted that the library does not yet have an approved budget for 2008.
In response to Saft’s query as to the status of the library’s search for an independent accountant to examine the library’s finances — which was brought up by the board at the last meeting – Jackson said she has spoken to Charlie Pride with the state board of accounts, and that he recommended two accountants, one in South Whitley and one in Veedersburg, Indiana. “We are able to pay for an outside accountant if we choose to do that,” Jackson added. “He thinks that may be the way to go.”
Saft asked to have a deadline set to hiring an accountant, and board member Rita Lawson suggested she didn’t want to give permission to hire regardless of cost.
Jackson said that the library budget this year will have to go through a fiscal review on the county level with either the county or town council approving it before the library board can finalize it. However, she said, if the library does not go over its stated growth quotient, a fiscal review will not be required.
The board changed its monthly meeting date to the third – rather than the first, as is the case currently -- Tuesday of the month, starting with the third Tuesday in July.