Historical Museum, Library Spending Examined as Part of City's Budgeting Process

Elmhurst Historical Museum staff will rework their schedules to cover weekend hours now that a part-time Saturday and Sunday staff position has been eliminated from the budget, aldermen heard on Monday.

Weekend work at the Elmhurst Public Library also emerged as an issue during the council's ongoing review of the proposed 2012-2013 spending plan.

Historical Museum Budget

Noting that much of the museum's $700,000 budget went to salaries and benefits for three full-time and five part-time staff, aldermen asked director Brian Bergheger how he was planning to hold the line on those costs.

Along with the elimination of the weekend staff position, which came about after a resignation, Bergheger reported on efforts to use volunteers as much as possible.

Another source of non-city income includes funds from the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation. The group pledged about $68,000 to the museum to pay for exhibits, programs and school services. The foundation also pays the salary of an 18-hour-per-week public programs coordinator.

Fifth Ward Alderman Chris Healy praised Bergheger for “doing more with less,” and 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Bram said he was very happy that the quality of exhibits was “much improved.”

“Curator Lance Tawzer has performed miracles with few dollars,” 2nd Ward Alderman Norman Leader said.

Elmhurst Public Library Budget

Extra dollars that went to pay library staff on Sunday was also an issue for some aldermen. New Library Director Mary Beth Campe presented her first budget to the council Monday, describing the current project to upgrade the library's and a new line item that highlights spending on digital content.

But another line item caught the attention of aldermen: overtime. Campe explained that staff rarely accrue actual overtime, rather, the money in that fund paid for Sunday wages. Staff who work on Sunday get premium pay, she said. She added that this was not a city mandate but a “tradition” in libraries that are open on Sunday.

The practice seemed to catch aldermen by surprise. Fifth Ward Scott Levin noted that there is no premium pay for employees who staff retail or restaurant businesses on Sunday. Levin asked the council to return to this issue after their weeks-long review of the budget was finished.

The council will continue reviewing the 2012-2013 budget next week, and will finish their review with a return to items they believe require more discussion.