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Belgrade library warns services could be cut without levy; foundation pledges continued fundraising
Summary
Library staff told the council that without a new operations levy the library may cut hours and programs and could risk state aid; the Belgrade Community Library Foundation described its endowment and recent fundraising and signaled readiness to support a potential levy campaign.
Library staff told the Belgrade City Council that the new Belgrade Community Library building has expanded capacity and programming but that operating funds are not yet secured. The presenter said staffing and program costs could force reductions if city operational funding or a voter-approved levy is not secured.
"If a levy does not pass or we continue with the current library operational budget, the library will further reduce its hours of operation, risk state aid, and we would have to reconsider or extinguish after hour library programs," the presenter said during the workshop.
Council members asked whether county contributions and intergovernmental formulas underpin the presented county number; staff said the county figure reflects a formula used historically by library directors across Gallatin County and that staff can provide the formula on request.
Representatives of the Belgrade Community Library Foundation described the foundation’s fundraising and endowment. "Every penny we're worth right now is about $400,000," the foundation treasurer said, and he said the endowment is roughly $290,000; the foundation is pursuing additional contributions and has recently forwarded donations to the library for programs.
Foundation and community speakers emphasized that private fundraising is valuable for program support but cannot sustainably underwrite ongoing staff salaries. City staff reiterated that operations discussions will continue through the budget process and that the council will need to weigh capital versus operational trade-offs in upcoming workshops.
Council members and staff also discussed governance options, including whether to expand an existing library district rather than create a new taxing district, and potential partnerships with the school district for weekend staffing or space-sharing. Staff cautioned that governance changes can complicate operations and that any districting conversation should involve the parks board and county commission.
No formal action was taken at the workshop; council members requested additional information on county funding formulas, rental fee projections for the community room and potential governance approaches. The council adjourned after brief announcements about a library foundation event.
