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Idaho Falls library asks council for $201,661 and phased city match to shore up budget and aging building
Summary
At the May 18 work session the Idaho Falls Public Library requested $201,661 for FY‑27 and proposed a phased 50/50 city match beginning in 2027 to slow a drawdown of reserves caused by a $1.1M county revenue loss and to fund building repairs and seasonal staff.
The Idaho Falls Public Library asked the City Council at its May 18 work session to approve a $201,661 increase to the library’s FY‑27 budget and to consider a phased, diminishing city match to stabilize the library’s finances and pay for aging‑building maintenance.
Robert Wright, the library director, told councilors the library lost roughly $1.1 million in revenue after a county withdrawal in 2022 and has been operating below pre‑county revenue levels despite attendance rebounding. “Right now, what we’re operating is not sustainable,” Wright said, explaining the board’s proposal to slow a drawdown of the library’s fund balance while the city provides incremental support over several years.
The board proposed a 50/50 split beginning in 2027 that would reduce how fast reserves are used and leave the library better able to respond to major maintenance needs. Wright described a projected FY‑27 budget of about $3.559 million versus projected revenue near $3.357 million and said the board’s plan is designed to be self‑terminating: the city’s additional support would diminish as the library’s finances recover.
The presentation highlighted the library’s service metrics: roughly 285,000 annual visits, 24 full‑time equivalent (FTE) staff plus seasonal workers, and a materials budget under pressure after the county’s departure. Wright and board members said salary and benefits make up the majority of operating costs and emphasized that electronic materials carry higher ongoing costs and licensing constraints.
Councilors asked for specifics about capital needs and staffing. Wright said cost estimates for a roof replacement and other corrective maintenance vary; one building maintenance estimate for a roof was cited near $150,000, while other larger systems (cooling towers, some heat‑pump replacements) would be more expensive. To relieve frontline staffing pressure and support programming, the library included roughly $260,000 for seasonal and part‑time employees in the FY‑27 proposal.
Board chair Ron Rapp and other board members framed the request as the result of multi‑year planning and urged council to view it as a proactive, accountable step rather than a stopgap. Rapp said the board will return next year with data showing outcomes if council approves the requested funding.
The council did not take a vote at the work session. Library staff said they will follow the city’s budget process and return with any required documentation; the library also requested continued discussion and accountability as the program is implemented.
