The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend the Atlanta, Illinois, Public Library is wrong for not listing its Grill Café in its budget and appropriations ordinance.
According to the ECW, the library board said the grill, which it owns, need not be listed in the ordinance because it was a “special” function that only spent funds it received in its operations. Further, the library said the ordinance was only for the “tax money” it received.
This is incorrect, according to the ECW.
”The Illinois Municipal Budget Law specifically states they must estimate the amount of funds expected to be received during such fiscal year from all sources,” Jim Kraft of the ECW wrote. "This might be the confusing part, since there was an attempt at claiming the library was not receiving or expending any funds received or expended by the Café. If that is the case, they are completely wrong. Since the library operates the Café, all funds received and expended thru the Café are public funds and subject to the combined Budget and Appropriations Ordinance.”
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