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Coffee County Library seeks $23,000 increase for 2026 amid staffing and benefit changes
Summary
Library Administrator Debbie Shoemaker presented the library's 2026 budget request, citing a 3% cost-of-living increase for staff, higher health-insurance costs and new flexible-spending benefits; the system requested roughly $306,890, about $50,521 (3.25%) more than the prior total.
Debbie Shoemaker, the new administrator of Coffee County Library, presented the library's 2026 budget request to the Coffee County Board of Commissioners on Monday and asked the county to consider roughly a $50,521 increase, bringing the library's total request to approximately $306,890.
Shoemaker told commissioners the library system, which operates six branch buildings across the county, implemented a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for staff and increased the library-paid portion of health insurance for full-time employees. She said the library will also introduce a flexible spending account (FSA) benefit for all staff in 2026, enabling pre-tax contributions for medical, elder and child-care expenses.
"When taxpayers support libraries, they are investing in education, lifelong learning, and civic engagement," Shoemaker said. She described the library's programming including a "library of things," summer reading activities, intergenerational programs and a school-lunch partnership at the Burlington branch.
Key budget figures and context: - Administrator presented a current total operating figure of about $283,752 and a requested total of roughly $306,890 (an increase the administrator later described as about $50,521 or 3.25%). - Shoemaker said the library's insurance costs rose substantially, and competitive salaries and benefits were necessary to recruit and retain staff. She also noted the system is fully staffed at present. - The Burlington branch runs a summer lunch program that the administrator said served about 500 meals in one week (she clarified that figure was weekly, not daily).
Why it matters: Library services provide educational, civic and social supports across the county; the budget request increases county operational support for salaries and benefits rather than large capital investments.
Next steps: Commissioners asked clarifying questions about line items and confirmed the library's request would be considered as part of the county's regular budget process. No formal action was taken at the presentation.
Provenance
Topic intro: transcript block starting at 1468.95 — "Coffee County Library 2026 budget request..."
Topic finish: transcript block starting at 2363.5552 — "Okay. Nope. Well, thank you so much. Have a great day."
