Budget & Finance
New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 40:54-8) sets the minimum funding for municipal public libraries at “1/3 mill,” or $0.33 on each $1,000 of equalized value of all assessable property in the Town. By State law, the municipality must allocate this money to the library in its annual budget. Unlike some libraries in New Jersey, the Mahwah Public Library does not receive funds above the “1/3 mill” minimum. As a result, the Library’s budget tracks the equalized property value; as property values fluctuate, so does the Library’s annual budget.
From 2009 through 2014, the equalized value of all property in Mahwah declined by 16.4%. As a result, the Library’s municipal funding decreased to $1,963,028 in 2014, down from a peak of $2,349,300 in 2009. In 2015, the equalized value showed modest signs of recovery and the municipal appropriation increased by 1.05%. In 2016, however, this small gain was erased and the budget declined by 1.01%, or $19,948. In 2017, the Library's municipal appropriation increased by 2%, or just over $40,000. As a result, the Library's funding for 2017 is still significantly below the funding it received in 2007, despite lending activity increasing nearly 30% and program attendance increasing over 200% in the past ten years.
2018 Budget Note
The 2018 budget includes a number of changes that are designed to support the Library's recent growth and success: Staffing levels and funding are stable, sustainable and offer a high degree of customer service. The changes in the materials budget introduced last year continue to realign funding to better meet the reality of how patrons are using the Library, including ongoing demand for eContent. The significant increase in funding for programs supports what is clearly becoming a major service. The building and grounds budget represent a clear-eyed look at the actual costs to maintain a welcoming facility that is now 20 years old. On top of the ongoing operating expenses, the 2018 budget also sets aside money be for capital projects that support the Library’s long-term strategic goals.
2018 Adopted Budget
| 2017 Budget | 2018 Budget | % Change 2017 to 2018 | % of Expense | |||
| Income | ||||||
| 4200 Municipal Appropriation | 2004077 | 2023825 | 1.0% | |||
| 4300 NJ State Aid | 11264 | 11237 | -0.2% | |||
| 4400 Interest | 800 | 1000 | 25.0% | |||
| 4500 Grants,Gifts & Donations | 4500 | 5000 | 11.1% | |||
| 4600 Patron Revenue | 27200 | 27700 | 1.8% | |||
| 4700 Miscellaneous Revenue | 6750 | 7500 | 11.1% | |||
| 4800 Unemployment Reserve | 0 | 1000 | 100.0% | |||
| Total Income | 2054591 | 2077262 | 1.1% | |||
| Gross Income | 2054591 | 2077262 | 1.1% | |||
| Expenses | ||||||
| 5000 Salaries and Withholdings | 1049500 | 1051500 | 0.2% | 50.6% | ||
| 5100 Personnel Benefits | 322963 | 343727 | 6.4% | 16.5% | ||
| 5200 Library Materials | ||||||
| 5210 Books | 135000 | 132500 | -1.9% | |||
| 5220 Audio-Visual | 63500 | 63500 | 0.0% | |||
| 5230 Periodicals | 7000 | 7000 | 0.0% | |||
| 5240 Digital & Online Resources | 52000 | 55500 | 6.7% | |||
| Total 5200 Library Materials | 257500 | 258500 | 0.4% | 12.4% | ||
| 5300 Programming | ||||||
| 5310 Adult | 28000 | 28000 | 0.0% | |||
| 5320 Young Adult | 17500 | 20000 | 14.3% | |||
| 5330 Juvenile | 22000 | 24000 | 9.1% | |||
| 5340 ESL | 5000 | 4000 | -20.0% | |||
| 5350 Museum & Cultural Passes | 2750 | 5000 | 81.8% | |||
| Total 5300 Programming | 75250 | 81000 | 7.6% | 3.9% | ||
| 5400 Operating Expense | 143852 | 145235 | 1.0% | 7.0% | ||
| 5500 Professional Service | 22500 | 22500 | 0.0% | 1.1% | ||
| 5600 Fixtures, Furnishings & Equip | 11500 | 11500 | 0.0% | 0.6% | ||
| 5700 Building & Grounds | 162641 | 163300 | 0.4% | 7.9% | ||
| Total Expenses | 2045706 | 2077262 | 1.5% | |||
| Net Cash Balance | 8885 | 0 | -100.0% | |||
| Other Income | ||||||
| 9010 Interfund Transfers-In-Cap | ||||||
| Total Other Income | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |||
| Other Expenses | ||||||
| 9100 Interfund Transfers-Out-Oper | 50000 | 100000 | 100.0% | |||
| Total Other Expenses | 50000 | 100000 | 100.0% | |||
| Net Other Income | -50000 | -100000 | 100.0% | |||
| Net Operating Surplus/Deficit | -41115 | -100000 | 143.2% |
Recent Audits
The Library values integrity and acts with honesty and fairness as it conduct its business. As part of the Library's commitment to transparency and open government, recent audit results are posted online.