Elkhart County commissioners heard introductions and public comment Nov. 24 about local library leadership and pay practices.

Library board member Laura Stefan introduced Kristen Edson as the Elkhart Public Library’s new executive director. Edson said she was eight weeks into the role and thanked commissioners and board members for support, adding she looks forward to “big plans and improving the already good work that the Elkhart Public Library does for our community.”

In public comment, Pam Kaiser of Middlebury said the Middlebury Library board recently approved another 6% salary increase and raised concerns about a pattern she described as recurring for five years. Kaiser said the increases would result in the director making $111,000 in 2026 and compared that to regional director salaries she reported from a public salary site; she urged closer review of library spending while acknowledging the county does not directly control library budgets.

Direct quotations in the record include Kaiser’s summary of local action: “Last week, the Middlebury Library, approved another 6 percent increase in salaries…for 2026, she will be making a $111,000.” Commissioners acknowledged the comment and confirmed the vote had been unanimous at the Middlebury board meeting.

What it means: The meeting served as an introductory opportunity for the new library director and as a public forum for residents to raise concerns about municipal library compensation and governance. The transcript records concern and comparative salary figures from a resident but does not document any county action to change library budgets.

Next steps: No board action on library compensation was taken at the Nov. 24 meeting; public comment closed without formal direction to county staff.