Board approves FY 2026–27 budget request, asks council to return unexpended funds to capital reserve

At its June 17 meeting the Eagle Public Library Board approved the proposed FY 2026–27 budget and asked that the packet sent to city council include a request to return as much of the year’s unexpended library funds as possible to the capital plan reserve.

A trustee moved to approve the proposed budget and to forward it with the addendum requesting that council consider returning unexpended funds to the library's capital reserve; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board recorded that city council had directed departments to reduce non-personnel operating budgets by 5 percent as part of the city budget process.

Library Director Steve Baumgarner reviewed the budget process and explained the department sought 1.5 full-time-equivalent positions (a full-time Guest Services Specialist 2 and a part-time Guest Services Specialist 1) to alleviate staffing strain. Trustees pressed for clarity on where the 5% operating cuts would come from (marketing/outreach, consortium fees, training lines) and discussed a short-term $10,000 contribution to re-establish a capital reserve for a facility plan that previously had been funded but later lost its carry-forward balance.

The board’s approval sends the budget to city council, which retains final authority over staffing and any reallocation of unexpended funds.