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Seven Black Hawk County libraries ask supervisors for higher per‑capita funding and contract tweak
Summary
Directors from seven county libraries asked supervisors to raise county library funding to $23.31 per capita for FY27 and to amend a contract rule so smaller libraries are not penalized by the 50% local tax allocation requirement unless a city's tax appropriation exceeds $100,000.
Directors representing all seven public libraries in Black Hawk County urged the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 to increase county funding for libraries in the FY2027 budget and to adjust contract language they say disadvantages smaller communities.
Jake Rocheford Bolt, identified in the transcript as the La Porte City Public Library director speaking for the group, thanked the board for $210,073 in county support for FY26 and requested an increase to $221,814 for FY27 — raising county support from $21.83 to $23.31 per capita. “By increasing our support to $23.31 per capita, you are ensuring that every resident of Blackhawk County has a door open to discovery,” Rocheford Bolt said.
Library directors asked the board to change the contract’s 50% local tax allocation requirement so it applies only when a city’s tax appropriation exceeds $100,000. They argued the current clause can penalize small libraries whose municipal appropriations are naturally smaller but that nonetheless serve significant rural populations; Dunkerton director Michelle Wheeler said her library’s rural circulation is disproportionately high.
Supervisors confirmed they wanted clearer draft language. Staff agreed to prepare updated contract language and to send it to library directors for review. No formal board vote on the funding request occurred Jan. 13; supervisors asked staff to include the request in the upcoming budget deliberations and to return with contract edits.
