County libraries risk losing Nichols grant as state shows missing budget submission; clerk says budgets resent

Representatives for Osage County’s libraries told the commission that the county had not submitted required budget paperwork to the state by the Dec. 31 deadline, and as a result the county appeared in state records as the only county in Kansas without submitted library budgets — a status that could jeopardize eligibility for a modest state grant (about $1,000) and for larger Nichols-system distributions that support local library services.

Heather Garrison (speaker 3), identified to the commission as representing the library discussion, said the county’s missing state submission would affect the county’s share of Nichols-system funds and that the first distribution was expected in March. "Without being eligible for the state grant, then we are not eligible for our Nichols system grants," she said, noting repeated outreach by state staff.

Clerk Michelle Morris (speaker 2) responded that the county budgets had been submitted previously and that she had resent them the day before the meeting and confirmed conversation with the state that morning. "They were sent in, and I did talk to them. I resent them just for good measures yesterday," Morris said; she added the state librarian had asked for the materials and that staff would follow up if the state indicated any remaining issues.

Commissioners asked staff to keep the libraries informed and to confirm state receipt; no additional county funding action was taken at the meeting. The commission asked staff to monitor state confirmation and report back so Nichols distributions can be processed if the state accepts the submitted budgets.