The Franklin Public Library Board of Trustees on Dec. 22 voted to absolve outstanding children’s and young-adult fines dating to Jan. 1, 2019, approved staff pay increases for 2026 and set a strategic retreat date.

The board voted to void $7,509.70 in unpaid fines for children’s and young-adult materials that were recorded from Jan. 2, 2019, through the present. A trustee moved that “all of the accrued fines that exist from whatever dates that Jennifer had specified are considered ... absolved,” and the motion carried on a voice vote. Library staff said any fines older than 2019 were excluded because they are not collectable under current practice and noted communications about the change have been sent to local schools.

In personnel decisions, trustees approved a 4% total compensation increase for Jennifer for 2026. The board also approved a 3.5% increase for the assistant director and a 3% increase for the circulation manager, after discussion in closed session and subsequent open-session motions. The raises were presented as part of the personnel committee’s review and were adopted by voice vote.

Board members heard a routine financial update showing Fund 15 and Fund 16 performing ahead of earlier revenue expectations and with expenditures below budgeted levels for the fiscal year to date. Trustees approved voucher payments for Fund 15 ($12,001.46) and Fund 16 ($5,988.09) during the meeting.

On facilities, trustees discussed continuing HVAC problems: staff reported nine failed actuator valves and said contractor responsiveness has been uneven. City Administrator Kelly Hirsch sent the contractor a written demand for a checklist and schedule; staff said crews would prioritize restoring heat and complete chiller work as soon as practical.

The board also moved the staff in-service date from Jan. 19 to Jan. 12, scheduled a strategic-plan retreat on Jan. 17 (08:30–11:00) to draft the 2026 action plan, and received foundation updates on a recent bake sale and planned fundraising for a children’s-area redesign. Staff said the design vendor requires a $60,000 fundraising commitment before producing renderings and materials.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (previous meeting): motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve vouchers — Fund 15, $12,001.46: motion carried (voice vote).
- Approve vouchers — Fund 16, $5,988.09: motion carried (voice vote).
- Void accrued children’s/YA fines (from 01/01/2019 through present): motion carried (voice vote). Outstanding fines reported: $7,509.70.
- Authorize staff to recommend pay-equity steps to common council: motion carried (voice vote).
- Raise Jennifer’s compensation 4% for 2026: motion carried (voice vote).
- Raise assistant director 3.5% and circulation manager 3% for 2026: motion carried (voice vote).
- Change staff in-service date from Jan. 19 to Jan. 12: motion carried (voice vote).

Next steps and context: Staff will implement the fines voiding in the library system and continue communications with schools and patrons. The director will take recommended pay-equity steps to the common council as needed for approval of any city payroll changes. Facility repairs will proceed under the city’s follow-up with the contractor, and the foundation will pursue targeted fundraising for the children’s-area redesign.