Detroit Public Library presents balanced FY2026 budget; commission sends entire budget to executive session on accessibility

Detroit Public Library staff on Thursday presented a proposed FY2026 budget of $43,472,160 and outlined staffing shortfalls, capital needs and branch repair plans as council members pressed the library to use its reported fund balance for larger capital projects. During the meeting the council voted with no objections to move the entire library budget into executive session to discuss accessibility concerns.

Library staff said the FY2026 proposal is “balanced” and aims to “maintain a safe, manageable and sustainable level of library services” across 20 branches, with the main library open 48 hours per week and branches generally at 40 hours. The presentation attributed most revenue to local property taxes from the library’s renewed 10‑year millage, which voters approved in August 2024 with an 85.6% “yes” vote.

The budget document presented by staff shows total revenue and other funding sources of $43,472,160, with local property taxes budgeted at $39,500,000; federal, state and county revenues estimated at $2,500,000; and other income (including investment earnings) at $1,400,000. Planned uses include $23,700,000 for employee salaries and benefits, $1,200,000 for pension and retiree expenditures, $17,500,000 for operational expenditures and just under $1,000,000 for debt service.

Library staff reported staffing progress and vacancies: FY2025 included 325 FTEs, the library currently has 274 active employees and about 51 vacancies. Staff credited a new HR recruiting specialist and active recruiting across multiple job portals and college networks for the improvement. The library also said it purchased a new mobile library (bookmobile) to support outreach and literacy work.

Council members pressed staff on several capital and program items. Member Benson asked about the library’s fund balance after noting the FY2025 audit figure; library staff said the general fund balance per the FY2025 audit is about $42,000,000. Staff said the library is developing a strategic plan with the Library Commission to guide how reserves are used for operations and capital needs, and noted the library has used fund balance for HVAC and electrical upgrades at older branches.

Several council members asked about specific branch projects and conditions. Staff confirmed the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved a $3,000,000 appropriation to support capital needs for the Skillman (downtown) branch; the funding agreement has been received and is under attorney review, and the grant must still go through the commission process to be received. For Monteith branch, staff said an earlier 2023 structural estimate placed restoration costs at about $6.2 million and that $2,000,000 was appropriated as a general capital appropriation (not ARPA) and will be held until the project is ready to proceed. Staff said they are exploring service‑delivery options for the Riverbend and Jefferson Chalmers communities, including potentially relocating services to a site positioned between those neighborhoods.

On damage and repairs, staff said Monteith suffered plaster and roof‑parapet damage that will be stabilized and repaired once weather allows, and that an insurance claim helped preserve the automotive collection at Skillman. Staff also said the Skillman project scope under discussion includes window replacement, roofing, landscaping and other capital improvements; Sherwood Forest branch windows have been approved for replacement and the vendor is procuring materials.

Landscaping, exterior lighting and site safety were raised by council members as recurring concerns. Library staff said the system issued a comprehensive landscaping bid (including year‑round maintenance and mulching) and is evaluating bids for commission approval. Sherwood Forest will receive window replacement and additional exterior‑lighting improvements; the library will notify the public before temporary closure for construction.

Council members asked about literacy programming and outreach. Library staff described literacy as a core service—early literacy, family literacy, adult literacy, digital and financial literacy—and noted partnerships with community organizations and presence in recreation centers and schools. Member Waters and Member Galloway said a newly formed adult literacy task force presented findings and asked library staff to partner on implementation; staff agreed to follow up.

On accessibility, staff described services for residents who are blind or visually impaired, including a branch for the blind and disabled located at the Frederick Douglass branch and home visits to adjust assistive technology. Staff also acknowledged many branch buildings were built before modern ADA standards, cited examples of structural constraints (steps and limited elevators at older branches) and said full ADA remediation often requires extensive work. Council Member Dirhall moved to place the entire budget into executive session “regarding accessibility.” The motion was made during the meeting and, after no objections were raised, the council announced the entire Detroit Public Library budget would be considered in executive session.

Funding sources and program notes: staff said the library receives state aid (about $600,000), county penal‑fine revenue (about $400,000) and federal E‑rate discounts administered through USAC that reduce internet costs—staff said the program represents roughly $3,000,000 of internet‑related cost that the library would otherwise bear, and that the library currently benefits from a high discount (staff said about a 90% discount on eligible costs).

The presentation and follow‑up questions also touched on scheduling the new bookmobile for community events. Staff noted the new vehicle’s size limits placement on some streets and asked event organizers to submit requests so staff can confirm feasible locations.

What’s next: staff said they will continue vendor procurement for approved capital work, finalize the Skillman funding agreement, pursue options for Monteith stabilization and engage the community on service‑delivery options for Riverbend and Jefferson Chalmers. The council moved the full budget into executive session to discuss accessibility; no vote detail beyond “no objections” was recorded in the public transcript.

Notes on reporting: this account is based on the public hearing record and on statements attributed to library staff and named council members during the hearing. Figures and funding descriptions are those stated by staff; where the presentation cited audit or estimate figures (for example, the FY2025 audited general fund balance and the 2023 Monteith estimate) the article reports the amounts as presented.