Tullahoma Library warns of repeated leaks, seeks higher materials budget and part-time wage increases

The Tullahoma Library presented its fiscal year 2025-26 budget to the Coffee County Budget & Finance Committee on March 20, reporting infrastructure problems and requesting higher spending on materials and part-time wages.

Library director (name not specified) said the building has an aging roof and failing interior pipes that caused a recent flood over Presidents Day and damaged ceiling tiles, carpet and a catalog computer. Staff cleaned and dried the space; the director said the library lost two books and hardware that cost about $1,700 to replace.

The director asked the committee to consider capital outlay for roof replacement and for increased spending on materials to bring the library closer to state standards. The library board requested a $15 hourly minimum for part-time staff and seeks to increase materials spending to roughly 12.5 percent of the librarys total budget, up from about 10 percent last year; state standards call for 15 percent within a five-year window.

The director also described estimates for pipe repairs and a plan to replace remaining carpet after the roof and said the countys maintenance and capital planning will need to address the buildings long-term needs. Commissioners asked that the library submit invoices and damage documentation for the recent flood to county administration for possible insurance adjustment and record keeping.

The committee accepted the library presentation and noted Rick (maintenance director) is working on capital requests for the building; the director said she will forward detailed estimates so capital outlay staff can evaluate the request.