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Council to discuss Hiram Library fee increase after library requests larger city contribution
Summary
Council members discussed a Hiram Library proposal that would charge Wellsville a higher flat fee; staff said the library seeks roughly $35,000 a year (up from about $17,000 currently) and the mayor and staff will negotiate options including per-user vouchers.
Wellsville city leaders told the council on Dec. 4 that Hiram Library has proposed charging Wellsville a larger contribution for library services—roughly $30 per household or about $35,000 annually—up from the city’s current payment of about $17,000 a year based on reported usage.
Speaker 1 said the proposal would represent a substantial increase and that the city will discuss options with Hiram City officials. Staff suggested alternatives including reimbursing individual residents who use the library (voucher payments) rather than paying a flat per-home charge. "Me and the mayor are gonna have some discussions with Hiram City and try to work through that," Speaker 1 said.
Council members emphasized the city wants citizens who use the library to have access but questioned paying for households that do not use the facility. Speaker 1 estimated about 500 Wellsville residents use the library. The city did not set a final position during the meeting and directed staff and the mayor to negotiate with Hiram City for a feasible arrangement.
Next steps: staff and the mayor will meet with Hiram City to negotiate contributions and report back to the council; no vote was taken on the library contribution during the meeting.
