Council delays vote on Allen County Public Library 2026 budget after wide public support and budget questions

The Fort Wayne Common Council on Sept. 23 opened a public hearing on the Allen County Public Library—onsulting financing and 2026 budget and voted to hold final action for two weeks to allow the library and council time to reconcile salary placeholders and updated revenue numbers.

The hearing drew more than a dozen public speakers who urged the council to approve the library—udget and to support the library s a community resource. "Our library has been a cornerstone of this community for well over a hundred years," said Lisa Worrell, a resident who spoke in favor of the budget. Susan Beyer, executive director of the Allen County Public Library, told the council, "However, this is a special year," because the library is reintroducing a debt service levy to finance phase 1 of a facility master plan.

Why it matters: The library seeks approval of a 2026 budget that includes a reintroduced debt-service levy to repay bonds for the first phase of a previously approved facility master plan. The financing will affect the library ebt-service fund for one year and is the reason the budget entered binding review and came before the council.

Key facts and numbers: - The library said phase 1 of its facility master plan will be funded with about $37,000,000 in bonds and approximately $25,700,000 from library reserves. (Susan Beyer) - The library estimated the one-time levy increase to cover debt service at about $4,800,000 and said the library ggregate tax rate under the proposed budget would rise from 11.65—ents to 13.26—ents based on 2026 assessed values. (Susan Beyer) - The library reported projected circuit-breaker losses of $3,249,000 for 2026 compared with $1,200,000 in 2025; when those losses are included the current budget showed a deficit in the library ocuments presented to the council. (Jill Knoll) - The library's 2026 total expenditures were presented as $41,641,556; exhibit detail shows 63% of the budget for compensation and benefits and 13% for library materials. (Jill Knoll)

Council and staff discussion focused on salary assumptions and the immediate fiscal impact of state legislation referenced in the meeting as "SB 1." Jill Knoll, the library—FO, said the budget submission included a placeholder increase in salaries and benefits because the library board usually finalizes COLA decisions in October or November. "Our board has not approved COLAs yet," Knoll said; the board indicated it expected a COLA not to exceed 3% but had not made a final vote.

Council members asked whether the council should cap the library's planned salary increase. Councilman Paddock initially pressed for a 2% cap; after discussion he withdrew that specific cap and moved instead to hold the appropriation on the council—alendar. The motion to hold final action until the council's Oct. 7 meeting (with final passage scheduled for Oct. 14) passed on a 6-3 vote. The motion to hold was made from the floor and seconded; the committee record shows a 2-week hold to allow staff to deliver the detailed numbers requested by council.

Public comment emphasized the library's role in literacy, workforce development and as a regional destination for genealogy research. Speakers included longtime patrons, teachers who take students to the library weekly, and representatives of the library—oard and volunteer organizations. "Allen County Public Library continues to serve as a cornerstone to the many issues facing our community," said Karen Eller, a longtime library user.

What the council decided and next steps: Council members voted to delay final passage of the ordinance appropriating library monies for 2026 so the library can provide updated salary/benefit numbers and further detail on circuit-breaker and levy impacts. The library was asked to provide the updated exhibits well in advance of the Oct. 7 discussion so the council can act on Oct. 14 as scheduled.

Speakers and roles (from the hearing): Susan Beyer, executive director, Allen County Public Library; Jill Knoll, chief financial officer, Allen County Public Library; Jeff Klagenbusch, bond counsel, Barnes & Thornburg; Lisa Worrell, resident; Karen Eller, resident; Sarah Gencic, teacher leader, Alyssum Montessori School; Ben Isabard, chair, ACPL board of trustees; Irv Adler, conference chair and speaker on genealogy; Patrick Maddox, resident and business owner; Roberta Ridley, chair, African American Genealogical Society; Mike Vondren, volunteer and past president, Allen County Genealogical Society.

Ending: The library remains scheduled for a final passage vote on Oct. 14; council members asked the library to supply revised revenue and salary detail ahead of an Oct. 7 discussion so that any final amendment can be reviewed by both the council and the library board before final passage.