Merlin Partridge, fleet service manager for the Utah Library Board, recently told Box Elder county commissioners that a change in state law led to an increase in the county's financial support for the bookmobile program.
Partridge told commissioners that during the 1980s, a change in state law raised Box Elder's support of the bookmobile from 35 percent to 55 percent. Although the percentage won't increase again, costs will continue to rise, due to inflation, he said..The county's share has risen from $35,000 to approximately $80,000 over the past several years. Commissioners are looking for ways to decrease the obligation to be more in line with the $76,000 budgeted by the county.
The only way to cut the county's cost, Partridge said, would be to cut back on bookmobile services in the county. The county Library Board and commission must make that decision.