Cash Cow? 57% of Flat Rock Public Library's Budget Paid to City for Rent and Fees

Flat Rock library hurting. (Detroit News, 3/22/2012)

Excerpt:   The library's annual budget is approximately $404,000 — $374,000 from a 1-mill tax levy and the rest from grants, Friend said. 

The library operates separate from the city. Library officials hope to get a reduction in the $162,000 annual rent it pays to the city for the 2012-13 fiscal year. 

There's an additional $70,000 in fees the city charges, and with its utility bills, there isn't much room left in the library's budget, Friend said.  [Emphasis added.]

Mayor Jonathan Dropiewski considers the request from the library a "bailout" as he's uncertain the library has been properly managing its funds. 

He said cuts are long overdue. 

 "They have not wanted to make the tough choices every business, family and government has had to make," he said. "Now they've left themselves in this position."

Here's the U.S. average for general categories of expenditures:  Salaries & benefits. materials, and all other.