I hope all residents take the time to vote in our spring elections (March 17-April 1). To support voter education, I would like to highlight a needed correction for the printed Election Guide 2025. One of my answers was printed as Karl Olson’s, so a) my perspective was attributed to him and b) his perspective was not shared with readers. I have included my answer here and encourage voters to access the digital Election Guide for complete and correct candidate information. Please vote!
How does the library balance development and expansion with conserving tax dollars? The board has a vested interest in conserving tax dollars: we pay Brookfield taxes, too! In 2023, 5% of our property taxes supported the library, compared to 60% for our schools. A primary board responsibility is to maximize library services within this relatively tight funding. As a current trustee, I can attest that every financial decision is made with thoughtful consideration of the library’s and community’s current and future needs. We prioritize long-term financial health when considering major expenses and investments. We review the library’s finances monthly and scrutinize proposed budgets. I encourage residents to visit the library’s website to understand the financials, including Fiscal Year ’25 budget details and past audits, and bring questions to the monthly meetings.
Michelle Parker, Brookfield library board