Library director says FY27 operations are balanced but building repairs still require funding

Carla Gordon, the library director, briefed the council on the library’s FY2027 budget, reporting a balanced operating plan and a FY25 surplus of about $424,000 that helped improve the library’s ending fund balance toward a multi‑year target. She said the library avoided service cuts and maintained hours and staff while carefully trimming nonessential spending.

Gordon identified two near‑term building projects requiring funding in FY27: replacement of one elevator and a boiler. She said the library can apply an estimated $140,000 from the legacy endowment (drawing the interest) and requested an appropriation of about $285,000 from the ending fund balance to cover the remainder. Gordon outlined an additional unfunded CIP need of roughly $1.8 million over five years for elevators, air handlers, parking structure work and brick repairs.

Councilors asked about the endowment draw policy, fundraising, grant writing capacity and whether a stable property‑tax set‑aside might better sustain ongoing facility maintenance. Gordon said the endowment has historically been used as needed for capital repairs but that the library is aiming to rebuild a designated maintenance reserve and increase fundraising activity.

The library director also described program adjustments made during earlier budget shortfalls (streaming services were reduced, with a small limited streaming account restored) and noted efforts to increase materials purchasing to recover circulation declines tied to prior cuts.

No council vote was taken on the request during the work meeting; staff will present appropriation details in the formal budget process.