City staff: committee recommended $937,000 for Liberty Lake library capital grant out of $2 million request

Library staff told the Liberty Lake Library Board on Jan. 7 that the city’s application for a state capital facilities matching grant was partially recommended and is now subject to the state budget and Department of Commerce approvals.

Library staff said the city applied for $2,000,000 for a proposed new library at 23129 Mission. A state review committee recommended a grant award of $937,000. The board was told the recommendation is encouraging but still must pass through the Department of Commerce’s budget process and the state legislative appropriations cycle before funds become available.

Staff said notifications about final award decisions typically come after the state budget is finalized; the board was told it could expect clearer signals in late February or early March and formal notification later in the spring or next summer as the commerce budget is finalized.

Board members asked about the effect of the state’s broader budget pressures. A staff member said it was too soon to be certain but that the committee recommendation is historically a positive sign: in past cycles projects recommended by the committee had received awards. The director said the grant is a matching grant — the city must provide matching funds if the award is made — and that the grant recommendation covers part of the project’s capital ask.

Library staff also flagged a pending presentation to City Council by consultant BCRA on Feb. 18 about the facilities master needs assessment and the implications for a new library site and other city facilities; board members were encouraged to watch or attend the council presentation.

No formal board vote was required or taken on the grant at the Jan. 7 meeting.