Leaders of the Friends of the Gunter Library and Museum told the Gunter City Council that the volunteer-run library needs an increased city contract — $15,000 plus internet service — to avoid closure after a landlord announced a rent increase that will raise monthly rent from $700 to $1,295 in January 2025.

Nancy Deshaut, treasurer of Friends of Gunter Library and Museum, said the council earlier allocated $8,220 that would meet accreditation requirements but asked the council to consider a larger contribution. “I appreciate that, and I hope tonight that you consider increasing that if possible,” Deshaut said.

Sue Stratton, the library director and a board member, told the council the library’s operating model and small building mean grants cannot cover rent, utilities or insurance. Stratton asked councilors to “consider modifying our current contract of $5,000 plus the city internet access and use to a new contract between the two groups of $15,000 plus the cost of Internet,” saying the increase is needed because the landlord plans a $595 monthly increase — about $7,160 a year.

The board described the library as a community resource that runs story time, senior bingo, computer and printing services, notary service and interlibrary loans. The group said accreditation from the Texas Library Association, achieved in September 2023, unlocked grant eligibility; the board noted it had won several grants this year that could not be used for recurring operational costs. Stratton and Deshaut said the library receives $2,280 per year from Grayson County’s library distribution and has raised roughly $7,000 this year through neighborhood fundraising and other efforts.

Council members expressed sympathy for the library’s role but pushed back on the requested amount. An unnamed council member summarized the city’s position: the city is “committed to paying the minimum amount that takes to keep the accreditation alive, which is more than the city can really afford” and warned that basic infrastructure such as roads remain a higher immediate priority. “We can’t even fix the streets we have right now,” the council member said.

Mayor Ditra (named in the public record during the meeting) said councilors would continue discussions over the weekend and review the budget ahead of the Monday budget hearing and adoption. The council did not take a vote or formally amend the budget at the evening meeting; the mayor said the council could revisit the funding level during the adoption process or through a later amendment.

Why it matters: The library serves underserved residents and seniors with services that are not easily replaced by private donors; losing municipal or increased support could reduce access to computers, printing, notary services and children’s programming. The board and city agreed on the need for more information and for additional discussion prior to the formal budget adoption.

Next steps: The council will consider the board’s request as part of the final budget review before adoption on Monday and may amend the approved budget later in the year if revenues or priorities change.