Council approves 2026 library levy despite dissent over radio ads

The Brainerd City Council voted to set the library's 2026 levy at $155,840, a 2% increase, following a short but pointed debate in which one council member said the library's supporters had run radio ads that implied the city had not increased library funding.

Chairman Gabe Johnson said he opposed increasing the levy only because the Friends of the Library purchased radio ads “against us last year,” which he said falsely implied the library had not received funding increases. Other council members pushed back, saying the ads targeted the county and that the library provides valuable services. Council member Bevans said the library faces the same 12% wage pressures affecting other departments and called a 2% increase "more than fair."

Tony conducted the roll call; the roll in the transcript shows Johnson voted no, Chzach and OD voted no, and council members Stunn, Jagger, Ericson, and Bevans voted yes. The motion to set the levy carried by majority vote.

Why it matters: The library levy sets the local property tax allocation for library operations and capital needs; council members framed the vote around wage pressures and community services as well as the political question of whether outside ads misstated the city’s support.

What happens next: The levy will be included in the city's 2026 levy resolutions and budget documents. The transcript did not record the exact cost of the radio ads; council indicated that donations and a friends group likely purchased them and that the ad cost may not be public data.

Attribution: Quotes and attributions are taken from the council debate recorded in the transcript; the first reference to a person uses the name and role shown in the meeting record.