Library board gives tentative approval to 2026 budget draft with changes to digital resources and building maintenance

The West Bend Community Memorial Library board gave tentative approval to a draft 2026 budget at its Aug. 19 meeting and directed staff to submit the draft to the city for the municipal budget process. Library Director Steve described the document as “the best guest budget at this point,” saying it remains a working draft subject to change as the city and insurer provide final figures. The draft trims staff requests: a $30,000 staff request for digital resources was reduced, and a proposed $100,000 addition for building maintenance was reduced to $20,000 in the draft presented to trustees. Trustees discussed funding sources and shared-service arrangements. Library staff explained that the system services provided by Monarch cover integrated library system technology and related services; the board heard Monarch costs run roughly $36,000 annually. Finance services provided by the city appear in the personnel/salary pages rather than the contractual services line; one trustee pointed to a $16,000 line for city finance services plus an additional amount for custodial/maintenance support. Steve told trustees the slate removal estimate included in the CIP would likely be handled through insurance; earlier figures discussed were roughly $40,000 for slate removal, with a $50,000 CIP placeholder noted in planning documents. Trustees approved the draft with the expectation that staff will update the board if insurance settlements, city matching funds, or other inputs require changes. Board members noted timing: the city’s calendar will determine final approval; trustees discussed a tentative schedule that would route the draft to the city in August and follow municipal budget approvals in October–November. One trustee moved to approve the budget draft; a second was recorded and the motion carried by voice vote after trustees said “aye.” The board asked staff to circulate updated budget versions as negotiations with city finance officials and the insurer proceed.