BOONE, Iowa—The Boone City Council has voted to restore $11,000 to the budget request submitted by the Ericson Public Library for the 2019 Fiscal Year.  On January 16th, the Council voted 4-3 to reduce the Libraries asking by $36,000 and redirect those resources to fund an 18th position for the Boone Police Department.

The proposal to restore some of the funding was suggested by City Administrator Bill Skare who worked with Police Chief John Wiebold to try and lessen the impact on the funding request for the Ericson Public Library.  Skare did not get into any details on adjustments that would need to be made in the Police Departments portion of the Public Safety Budget, but he did tell the Council that Chief Wiebold felt he could cover the $11,000 adjustment.

The Council vote unanimously to make the adjustment which means the Libraries asking for the 2019 Fiscal Year is being reduced by $25,000 instead of $36,000.  It does not affect the final amounts for tax asking or levy.  The actual Public Hearing on the proposed budget is expected during the March 5th City Council meeting.