Commissioners approve $35,000 mid‑year payment for LaGrange Memorial Library

The Troup County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $35,000 mid‑year payment to LaGrange Memorial Library on Jan. 6, 2026, to complete the remainder of the current fiscal year funding request. Community development staff explained the library requested $70,000 annually and that $35,000 would be paid now, with the second $35,000 to be included in the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

"Her request is to fund a $70,000 mid year request," staff told commissioners when introducing the item; staff said the mid‑year amount would come from the county fund balance and would require a budget amendment. Kelly Ainsley, speaking for the library, attended the meeting and acknowledged the board's action.

Commissioners asked how the increase compared to recent years; staff provided a multi‑year budget summary showing the library had been largely level funded from 2019–2024, received a partial increase in 2025, and had requested and not received a larger interim increase earlier this year. After a motion and second, the board approved the $35,000 payment by voice vote.

The action is an approved budget amendment (to be processed with county fiscal staff) and does not finalize the full $70,000 allocation until the board adopts the next fiscal year's budget. Staff said the mid‑year payment will come from fund balance and the larger $70,000 annual allocation will be considered during the July budget process.

Next steps: county finance staff will process the budget amendment and commissioners said they will review the full fiscal year request during the upcoming budget cycle.