The West Bend Community Memorial Library Board voted Oct. 21 to approve the library’s final budget proposal for submission to the city common council and heard staff briefings on capital repairs, technology upgrades and a proposed strategic planning contract.

The board approved the budget by voice vote; the director said the library’s 2026 funding request reflects a larger percentage increase than other city departments and will move the library toward more competitive staffing levels. The board approved the budget as presented and directed staff to forward it to the common council for the formal hearing.

Why it matters: the budget sets staffing and materials levels for the coming year and funds several capital items the board heard could be addressed this year from existing capital-project balances.

Capital and building repairs: Library Director Steve reported the board has capital-project balances available and proposed re-allocating funds to address urgent building needs. Items discussed and approximate costs in the meeting:
- Fire alarm panel replacement with new sensors: staff estimated $28,513 and said work was authorized to proceed using funds reallocated from postponed slate roof work.
- HVAC repairs: reported at about $20,000–$21,000.
- Remaining capital-project balance after those re-allocations was reported as about $40,003.96.
- Carpeting: staff said carpeting delivery was scheduled the day after the meeting and installation would take about two weeks; some areas (story room, circulation workroom, adult services office) may have temporary cones during electrical work.

Flooding and storm-sewer concerns: staff reviewed flooding from a recent downpour that caused water to enter the building. The director said storm-drainage and excess mulch near the street likely contributed and recommended the board consider a landscaping plan to reduce future ponding. The board also discussed obtaining quotes for a backflow-prevention valve for the basement sewer connection and the added cost and disruption that installation would cause (cutting concrete and replacing recently installed carpeting).

Technology and public kiosks: the board discussed replacing the library’s self-check stations and public computers.
- Self-checks: staff said EnvisionWare offered a replacement package at a discount for about $25,000 if a deal were signed immediately. A higher-end product from a different vendor (described in the meeting by staff as a cloud-enabled alternative) was cited in staff remarks with an estimated hardware price of roughly $50,000 and higher annual service costs (staff estimated an annual service-range of about $3,000–$7,000 for premium products). Staff asked whether to pursue more information; no purchase was approved at the meeting and the board asked staff to return with more detail.
- Public computers: IT staff reported the library replaced an older set of public machines in September and reduced the number of full-feature machines from 12 to eight plus one express machine (nine total). The vendor/maintenance relationship will be managed through Monarch; staff said the change was driven by a forced Microsoft update and by usage patterns.

Personnel: staff and the board noted that IT staff member Brad has accepted a director position in Mayville and will depart; staff thanked him for his service.

Strategic planning: staff presented two outside proposals for a multi‑phase strategic planning process. Will’s (Will’s Library Consulting) was discussed as a Wisconsin-based vendor with an estimated maximum cost of about $20,500; another vendor’s estimate ranged substantially higher (the packet noted a $47,000–$57,000 range for a different firm). The board agreed to delay awarding a contract for one month so members could review sample plans from other area libraries and seek additional information on scope and deliverables.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (minutes and expenditures): approved by voice vote (mover not specified; second Joseph). Outcome: approved.
- Budget: motion to approve final budget for submission to the common council (mover not specified; second Joseph). Outcome: approved.
- Musical garden authorization: moved by Barb, seconded by Joseph. Outcome: approved (see separate article).
- Motion to adjourn into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(c) to consider a director evaluation: approved; roll-call votes recorded as yes by members present.

Quotes: “We can get those [self-checks] replaced for $25,000 if we sign the deal this month,” the director said while describing a vendor discount for an EnvisionWare replacement; on computers IT staff noted the update and replacement were prompted by system incompatibility.

Next steps: staff will draft the memo of understanding for the musical garden; staff will collect additional bids and specifications for self-check replacements and present options at the November meeting; the board will review sample strategic plans and revisit vendor selection in November. Staff also said they will report back after the city budget hearing to confirm final funding.