County library coalition asks board for higher per‑capita funding and contract language change

Leaders from seven public libraries in Black Hawk County asked supervisors to raise county library support and to amend contract language they say penalizes smaller libraries that serve rural residents. Library presenters said the county’s FY2026 funding equaled $21.83 per capita and requested $221,814 for FY2027 — an increase to $23.31 per capita — so county funding would exceed the state average and better support rural services.

The presenters also asked the board to change a contract clause that requires 50% local tax allocation; they proposed that requirement apply only if a city’s tax appropriation exceeds $100,000 to avoid penalizing smaller cities whose rural residents use the libraries heavily. "To adjust this, we recommend an amendment... the 50% local tax allocation requirement should only apply if a city's tax appropriation exceeds $100,000," a library director said. The board asked staff to draft revised language and said it would consider a work session for contract adjustments.