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Council signals support to renew Des Moines library services agreement
Summary
Windsor Heights staff told council the city’s library agreement with Des Moines expires July 1; Des Moines has offered a renewal with a 3% annual increase for up to three years and staff asked whether council wishes to proceed. Council members reported satisfaction with current services and asked staff to bring a draft agreement for later consideration.
Windsor Heights City Council members told staff March 16 they are comfortable moving forward with negotiating a renewal of the city’s library services agreement with Des Moines.
Staff said the current intergovernmental agreement expires July 1 and that Des Moines has offered to continue services with a 3% annual increase for up to three years. Staff said Des Moines did not anticipate service changes in the coming fiscal year but noted the possibility of broader municipal budget pressures in later fiscal years.
Council members praised Des Moines library staff for community engagement and children’s programming and reported little resident complaint beyond one request for additional titles in a specialty genre. “They’ve attended probably 90% of our special events,” one council member said, noting the library’s presence at events such as Windsor Wonderland and movie nights.
Staff said Windsor Heights residents may use any metro library but that some digital services in the Des Moines system are limited to Des Moines cardholders; staff asked whether council wanted to direct them to finalize an agreement for council consideration in late March or April.
Council members indicated general agreement for staff to proceed; no formal vote was taken at the March 16 meeting. Staff will return a draft renewal agreement to the council for formal consideration and possible approval.
Next steps: staff will prepare a proposed renewal agreement for a future meeting that will include the precise contract term and cost schedule for council approval.
