Library requests modest ongoing increase for community arts grants in FY 2026–27 budget submission

Fiona Everett, the library’s senior management analyst, briefed trustees on the department’s FY 2026–27 budget submission and requested a modest ongoing increase to community arts grants.

Everett said the department’s current adopted maintenance-and-operations budget is just under $2,937,000 and that staff are not requesting additional base personnel or M&O funding for the coming fiscal year. The single request is $11,713 in ongoing funding—described as a 10% increase for the community arts grants program—intended to align funding with the Arts and Culture Master Plan’s recommendation for incremental increases.

"That $11,713 will be ongoing," Everett said, adding the increase is intended to provide 10% additional funding for community arts grants starting in July and continuing year after year. She noted the last increase request for community arts grants was made in FY 2022–23, and the library is following a long-term plan set out in the City’s Arts and Culture Master Plan.

Everett reviewed five-year trends in staffing and operating costs: personnel costs have risen roughly 12% over five years and operating budgets about 20%, driven by insurance, software and utility cost increases; full-time staffing is slightly lower now than five years ago (about 51 FTE versus 52.5 previously). Everett outlined next steps: the city budget will be presented to City Council on May 19, followed by a community budget workshop two days later, and the trustees will be asked to vote on a concurrence letter at the next board meeting so the library’s concurrence can be included in the city council agenda for adoption in mid‑June.

Trustees asked about the community budget workshop and the trustees’ role in advocating for priorities; Everett and Director Smithson outlined the workshop format (held at the City Administration Building, typically 10–30 community members) and confirmed the trustees’ comments at meetings are considered as part of departmental planning. The board did not take a vote on the budget request at this meeting; staff will return with a draft concurrence letter the next month.