Board backs Library District option to finance half of new bookmobile; City of Flagstaff partnership and administrative costs in focus

Coconino County supervisors on May 13 heard a detailed presentation from Library District staff on operations across the county and reviewed three funding options for fiscal 2026 that differ by size of tax increase and amount reserved for a bookmobile replacement. County staff and the Library District recommended Option 1, which would fund half the replacement cost of an M2‑class bookmobile, cover market‑pay adjustments and partially address district administrative costs.

Library staff said the county’s bookmobile has returned to service and that demand is rising: the bookmobile made 40 stops in May and added 60 new patrons in its first three months back in service. “We were able to come to consensus on recommending the purchase of the m 2 bookmobile,” the library director told the board during the presentation.

The presentation reviewed services and activity at branch libraries across the county — including Forest Lakes, Grand Canyon Community Library, Fredonia, Sedona, Page, Williams, the law library, the jail library and Tuba City — and listed operational pressures: rising costs for digital materials and janitorial services, lease increases for East Flagstaff, and market‑pay adjustments the City of Flagstaff identifies when it administers district staffing. City staff confirmed the city remains willing to act as fiscal agent and administrator for the Library District but stressed the district needs to identify a cost‑recovery approach for services the city currently provides (HR, legal, finance).

County staff and the Library District presented three funding options: Option 1 (recommended) would fund roughly half of the bookmobile replacement cost and limit impact to a moderate increase for the median homeowner; Option 2 would fund about one‑third and draw more on reserve funds; Option 3 would fund one‑fifth and rely more heavily on fund balance. Staff said a new bookmobile takes 12–18 months to procure and that maintaining service until replacement is a priority.

The board asked questions about security at Flagstaff branches, the East Flagstaff lease, and how the city’s administration and market adjustments are accounted for. The City of Flagstaff’s economic vitality director told the board the city values the partnership and will work with county staff on a clearer intergovernmental agreement and a liaison model that clarifies roles and cost recovery.

Board members generally expressed support for Option 1’s balance of service and fiscal prudence and asked staff to return with more detailed IGA language and implementation steps. No final tax rate was adopted; the board indicated the recommendation will be addressed as part of the FY26 budget adoption process.