Library board recommends FY2027 budget to County Commission, director proposes rollback rate

The Citrus County Library Advisory Board voted to recommend the library's proposed FY2027 budget to the Citrus County Commission after Director Adam Chang walked members through key figures and funding sources.

Chang told the board the library's total budget is "just over $6,000,000" and that roughly $5,200,000 is expected from ad valorem taxes. He said the difference will be covered by a mix of Friends-group donations, grants, interest and existing reserves. "So our total budget is just over $6,000,000 and... what's unique about that is our total budget is just over 6,000,000, but the amount that we're actually collecting this year through ad valorem taxes, is gonna be just, $5,200,000," Chang said, adding that personnel services account for about $3,600,000 (approximately 60% of the budget) and operations about $2,400,000.

Board members discussed reserve levels, capital needs and the implications of a potential county sales-tax referendum that officials noted could cut library revenue. Chang said the library's general reserve is about $500,000 and that the library is recommending adoption of the rollback rate so taxpayers would generally pay the same in taxes as the prior year. "By getting those different grants and other things, it does supplement and support those things," Chang said when prompted about whether grants make up the shortfall.

After public input and board discussion, Committee member (speaker 6) moved to recommend the budget as presented; the motion carried in a roll-call vote and the board directed staff to forward the recommendation to the County Commission. The recommendation is advisory; the County Commission retains final approval. The board also opened the budget to public comment before formal transmittal.