Prattville council delays library services contract amid questions over reserves

The Prattville City Council on March 3 voted unanimously to hold action on a proposed contract for services with the Prattville public library until April 7, 2026, to allow the library board additional time to review revisions and for council members to resolve outstanding concerns.

Mayor Gizby told the council that the city attorney had forwarded contract revisions to the library board and that the board and the library’s attorney were reviewing the changes. Councilors said the process had taken longer than expected and urged stronger safeguards to protect taxpayer funds while the city continues paying for library services under the existing budget arrangement.

Councilor Chambers moved to hold the contract until April 7 and Councilor Merritt seconded; the motion passed by unanimous voice/hand vote. No roll-call vote listing individual member votes was recorded on the motion; the council had seven members present at roll call earlier in the meeting.

Council discussion cited concerns about the library’s funding practices and the pace of negotiations. One councilor noted that the library board reportedly has carried more than $200,000 in reserve and suggested the council consider temporary funding controls if negotiations continue to be delayed, while stressing the council was not accusing the board of wrongdoing but seeking accountability and a clear paper trail.

The mayor said holding the item would allow the library board to provide written feedback on the revised draft and for the city to further refine the contract language. The council gave no new funding direction at the March 3 meeting beyond the hold and requested additional documentation ahead of the April 7 meeting.

What happens next: The library board is expected to review and respond to the contract revisions before the April 7 council meeting; the council indicated it may consider budget safeguards if the parties do not reach an agreement in a timely way.