Warren County Public Library briefs fiscal court on budget, programs and capital plans

Court Stevens, a representative of the Warren County Public Library, told the fiscal court on July 10 that the library pproved its FY2025–26 budget contingent on the county—ommission—inal property tax rate.

"We base our budget on the best guess of last year's numbers," Stevens said, noting the approved budget may require amendment once the official tax rate is set. Stevens emphasized that the library ims to be "the number 1 quality of life provider in Warren County" and stressed services beyond books, including theater, wellness classes, mobile/shuttle services and disaster resilience partnerships.

Stevens described a 12‑location network across Warren County, saying the system delivers programs and partners with county agencies on summer camps, the Thrive crew and large public events. The presentation included attendance and participation figures provided verbally: large total event attendance in the prior year, nearly 4,000 visits to the Capitol in June, 294 events in 2024 and more than 2,500 market attendees in June (farmers market/Soaky Center). Stevens said capital work at the historic Capitol totals about $325,000 to date and described additional renovation plans — potentially exceeding $1 million by 2029 if all projects proceed — and annual operating costs around a little over $1 million.

The library reported investments in downtown assets including the Fringe parking lot conversion, plans for food trucks and community events, construction of 20 semi‑permanent farmers market booths, and a rebrand/relaunch of the Soaky Center. Stevens highlighted resilience work including warming/drying centers, a green shuttle averaging 200–300 riders, and participation in a Resilience Coalition that plans for storms and emergencies.

Court Stevens credited partnerships with Warren County Parks & Recreation and other county departments for shared programming and logistics; the library said summer programs have grown from hundreds to thousands of participants over recent years. Stevens also thanked the fiscal court for supporting community planning efforts such as the BG 2050 campaign and said citizen input (roughly 644 entries flagged quality of life as a priority) informs library programming.

Magistrates thanked library staff and acknowledged the library's role in downtown stewardship and community events. No formal action was required on the presentation; Stevens and accompanying staff members Alex Love and Laura Beth Fox Seazell fielded questions at the close of the presentation.