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Library board seeks feasibility study as commissioners push for stronger bond planning on proposed $15M Kalispell library
Summary
Library director and board chair told commissioners the operating budget is steady and materials demand has risen; capital planning includes a $15 million planning estimate for a new Kalispell library and a $3 million sidebar funding request, but commissioners urged a feasibility study, donor analysis and clear outreach plans before committing county dollars.
Terry Dugan, director of the county library, and board chair Dave Ingram presented the librarybudget and capital plans. Dugan said operating revenue for fiscal 2027 is projected to increase about $147,000 (roughly 7 percent) from property-tax adjustments and that materials spending has risen to meet both physical and digital demand.
On capital planning, Dugan said the long-term planning estimate for a future Kalispell library is about $15 million and noted several smaller capital needs (HVAC, lighting, restrooms and vehicle replacements) at branch locations. The library has scheduled a feasibility and donor-receptiveness study this fall, funded by the library foundation, and will parallel a rough design/planning grant to explore what the facility could look like.
The library included a $3 million sidebar request in its capital asks. Commissioners pushed back, saying a large public bond will require intensive outreach and that the $3 million request and the broader $15 million estimate need clearer cost, site and bond-impact analysis before county funds or bond proposals are advanced. One commissioner cited roughly $220,000 in outreach spending on the detention bond as an example of the work required to educate voters.
Dugan said the library has a depreciation fund (about $300,000) and matching funds (about $500,000 with county matches) that could contribute to future planning but agreed that more detailed public-engagement preparation is required. The board pledged to provide more planning information and consult the commissioners before public announcements.
