Servals and parrots and honey bears, oh my!
More than 100 kids and their parents packed Wilton Manors’ library to get up close and personal with some of the coolest creatures on Earth. Two people from Wild Animal World captivated kids and adults alike with one knowledge bomb after another.
It’s the library’s most popular event of the summer and one that brings families out for a fun afternoon. But beyond the walls, it’s a jungle out there. The library, like many of the city’s programs and institutions, is fighting for its piece of the financial pie and perhaps even its survival.
It’s budget season, a time to hunt like the mighty serval for excess spending. Like all municipalities in Florida, the city must have a balanced budget. The task is a true balancing act.
Some costs are almost or completely non-negotiable such as retirement contributions, servicing debt, water and sewage, and fire protection. Others are important but can be partially addressed or delayed like some infrastructure projects or replacing city vehicles.
Funding for some items can be increased, scaled back, or cut from the budget. For example, taking a scalpel to the parks department could end one specific program. Or the city could take a butcher knife and cut services entirely such as rideshare Circuit or the library.
Those cuts can sting like the scorpion at the animal exhibit.
Wilton Manors’ library is independent from the Broward County library system and some see that status as a bulwark against book bans and other attacks on programs by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A parent of three kids at the animal event said the library’s independence is one of the things that, like the city’s slogan says, makes life just better here.
“We come to the library a lot, at least once a week. It makes it unique in a different way and I like that they offer these small events.”
The idea of outsourcing the library to Broward County as a cost-saving measure was discussed last year and brought up again during the city commission’s first budget workshop.
The first draft of the budget continues library funding although at a somewhat drastic cut of about two librarian positions.
The city’s Financial Advisory Board (FAB) met this week to look over every line item. And like the snow owl, FAB will look in every nook and cranny to find savings and or more money.
The city’s first deadline is to set the maximum millage rate by Aug. 5, though it will likely happen on July 23. (Last year the ceiling was set at a 14% increase but the actual increase ended up being 10%.)
Despite a challenging economic environment, a recent study found the city can likely avoid property tax increases for the next five years.
The final budget must be approved by Sept. 30 and will take effect Oct. 1. Like the python, it will wend its way through debates at public meetings between now and then.
You can find the budget proposal on the city’s website under the finance department tab.
Photo via wiltonmanors.gov.
