Library and Cultural Arts staff outline FY 2025–26 budget request, including two full‑time positions and operating increases

Fiona Everett, the city’s senior management analyst, presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget for the Library and Cultural Arts Department at the Carlsbad Arts Commission meeting on May 1. The department’s proposed requests include two new full‑time positions, 1.5 part‑time equivalents (three interns), and modest increases to maintenance-and-operations (M&O) and special-revenue spending.

Everett said the department’s base M&O (operations excluding personnel) is about $2,000,000 and that the department sought roughly $266,000 in additional personnel funding plus just under $200,000 in additional M&O — a combined increase of about $461,000. She noted special revenue and donation funds of about $540,000 that the department uses to supplement programming, and said the department proposed using an additional $117,000 in special-revenue funding next year (bringing the special‑revenue budget to approximately $657,000).

Requested personnel additions included a full‑time production technician to staff the Shulman Auditorium and other meeting spaces (to support the recent AV upgrade), a second full‑time genealogy and Carlsbad history librarian to support growing local-history and genealogy services, and three interns (digital initiatives, genealogy/local history, and production tech support).

Everett also requested an ongoing $25,000 training budget increase and additional funds to cover sharply higher utilities, which the department reported have increased substantially over recent years (heat and light costs up ~76% over five years; water costs nearly doubled). She noted some increases in internal charges (vehicle replacement, liability insurance, IT) that have raised department costs even while the department reduced some other operating spending.

Everett flagged potential federal funding uncertainty after an executive order on March 14 that identified federal cultural agencies for review; she said the department is monitoring possible impacts to Institute of Museum and Library Services funding and other federal/state sources that indirectly support local programs.

Commissioners asked about timing for hiring if positions are approved (Everett estimated vacancies could be posted in the fall and funded beginning July 1), the reason for increases in risk-management/internal service fund charges and the department’s total proposed budget (Everett cited a roughly $16 million total for department budgets and special funds combined). Commissioner Nasiri and others emphasized the library’s community role and asked staff to continue pursuing donations and partnerships. No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational.