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Yakima Valley Libraries details post‑pandemic recovery, budget and capital priorities to county commissioners
Summary
At the April 8 Yakima County Commissioners meeting, Yakima Valley Libraries Executive Director Candelaria Mendoza outlined service levels, staffing changes, revenue sources (about $9 million projected in 2025), two pending state capital grant applications and an ongoing unionization process that could affect future budgets.
Candelaria Mendoza, executive director of Yakima Valley Libraries, presented the library district’s post‑pandemic recovery progress and funding priorities to the Yakima County Board of Commissioners on April 8, 2025.
Mendoza told the board the district operates 16 library locations across Yakima County, serves about 247,000 residents, employs roughly 77 full‑time staff and maintains a collection of about 283,000 items. "We received most of our funds through property taxes, a little over $9,000,000," she said.
The presentation summarized the district’s strategic plan for 2024–2028, recent capital improvements and service expansions, and items likely to affect future budgets. Mendoza said the district exceeded eight of nine strategic goals in 2024, launched a bookmobile in 2023, opened the Union Gap Library, and completed a classification and compensation study that will inform collective bargaining.
Why it matters: Yakima Valley Libraries provides the principal library services for most cities and towns in Yakima County and relies mainly on property tax revenue administered through the county. Mendoza asked commissioners to support the district’s applications for the state Library Capital Improvement Program, which would require a 50% local match for awarded projects.
Key details from the presentation included: the district’s outreach programs (homebound delivery and a bookmobile), 24/7 digital resources such as the Libby app, Canopy, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages and in‑library access to Ancestry.com; projected 2025 revenue of about $9 million with contracts and other income totaling roughly $79,000; and two pending Library Capital Improvement Program grant requests for Central Library remodeling (including elevator replacement and asbestos removal) and HVAC replacement at the Sunnyside branch.
Mendoza said the district is negotiating updated contracts with four contract cities (Granger, Mabton, Naches and Tieton) that historically have not annexed into the library district and that those contracts could change in 2026. She also noted the library staff are in the process of unionization and that the outcome of collective bargaining may have budgetary impacts. "We are overseeing the development of the new collective bargaining agreement," Mendoza said.
Commissioners thanked Mendoza for the briefing and asked clarifying questions about annexation history and service delivery. Commissioner Lindy asked why four cities remain under contract rather than annexed; Mendoza said a historical choice in the 1940s left those communities under contract and that annexation would be a process championed by each city.
The presentation concluded with Mendoza requesting commissioner advocacy for the state grant applications and reiterating the district’s focus on facilities planning, compensation adjustments and continued monitoring of post‑pandemic service metrics.
Mendoza provided the board with supporting financial and strategic plan documents; Commissioners acknowledged receipt and invited further follow up if needed.
Looking ahead, Mendoza said the district will continue implementing the 2024–2028 strategic plan, negotiate the collective bargaining agreement and advance a facilities plan for future capital needs.
