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Council asks for more information before deciding on library social worker funding
Summary
Councilors on June 10 heard that the county declined to commit to funding one-third of a library social worker for this budget cycle; councilors asked that the library director and the homelessness-response manager appear Wednesday to clarify service impacts and cost (councilors recalled an annual cost of about $70,000).
Councilors debated whether the city should absorb the full cost of a library social worker after the county indicated it could not commit funds for this budget cycle.
The city manager said the county administrator was unable to commit to funding any portion of the position because the county had completed its budget; the county did express interest in receiving a request in the next budget cycle. Several councilors said they wanted to hear directly from library leadership (Ben Treat) and the new homelessness-response manager before voting. One councilor recalled the position's prior ARPA support and asked staff to confirm the annual cost; councilors estimated it at about $70,000 and asked that figure be verified.
Some councilors urged caution before eliminating the position, noting the library's role as a safety net and the risk of increased emergency responses if outreach is reduced. Others said the city should seek nonprofit partnerships or confirm a rotation of outreach workers before committing city funds permanently.
Next steps: library director and homelessness-response manager to be invited to Wednesday's meeting with a clear cost breakdown and updated usage statistics so the council can weigh funding alternatives.
