Freeport library seeks 4.94% levy increase to cover rising costs, asks council for approval

Freeport Public Library Director Hafines asked the finance committee to support the library’s FY2026 funding plan and presented a separate levy request for 2025 (to be paid in 2026). The library’s levy request is $1,114,500, which Hafines said would generate about $52,500 more than last year. "The library is self funded," she said, noting property taxes supply roughly 84% of the library’s income.

Hafines reviewed personnel and operating lines, telling the committee the library recorded $788,660 in payroll expenses in FY2025 and projects $800,009 in FY2026. She attributed most payroll increases to a renegotiated AFSCME contract and higher benefit costs. On insurance (line 6395), she said FY2025 budgeted costs were $45,360 but actual spending approached $55,000; FY2026 insurance was rebudgeted to $60,000 to reflect several years of increases.

To balance the FY2026 plan, Hafines said the library will transfer restricted reserves: $52,265 from fund balance, $13,130 from IMRF reserves and $5,000 from the Van Reyden history-room fund where those monies are restricted to the history room. She also said $9,000 in capital equipment spending is planned from a FY2024 tech grant to buy patron computers, and building-fund capital outlay is earmarked for bathroom remodels.

On the levy mechanics, Hafines told the committee the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) for Freeport fell by about $105,004 over the year, reducing natural levy growth. The library may increase its rate up to 5% without a referendum; Hafines said the library’s change stands at 4.94%, below that threshold. "A house valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $6 on their library portion of their tax bill," she said.

Council members asked procedural and fiscal questions. Hafines said the library board must also vote on the levy and, depending on scheduling, the council will consider a first and second reading as required; if the levy exceeded 5% the question would go to a referendum. Alderman Sellers voiced support for the request, citing library programming for children: "All the great things...so $52,000, yeah, I like to have it," he said. Other council members and a resident expressed concern about households facing tighter budgets; Hafines said the library would seek to avoid cutting services and would consider reducing capital outlay if the levy failed.

Next steps: the library board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, after which the council will move forward with readings and formal votes at future council meetings.