Grant City Council reduces library funding by $48,000 for 26-27 fiscal year

BY BECKY UEHLING

GRANT TRIBUNE 

On Tuesday, April 14, the Grant City Council approved a roughly $48,000 reduction in funding for the Grant Hastings Memorial Public Library, setting the library’s budget at approximately $99,943 for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

The reduction represents about one-third of the library’s previous funding level.

During the meeting, city officials said the decision comes as part of broader budget constraints and a shift toward a different funding model for the library. Officials said the proposed funding level would align more closely with how much similar-sized communities spend per person on their libraries.

The Grant Hastings Memorial Public Library has historically been funded primarily through the city’s electric franchise fee — a 10% charge on local electric bills — rather than a dedicated property tax levy. That funding has increased over time, from about $66,000 in earlier years to more than $139,000 in the most recent budget year. At the same time, library officials have said rising costs such as insurance and the city’s professional services, along with prior reductions in discretionary spending, have limited the library’s ability to absorb additional cuts.

Discussion by the council, mayor and city superintendent included a recommendation to move toward funding the library through an allowable property tax levy under Nebraska statute, which officials said would provide a more “sustainable and transparent” funding model.

Library officials said a property tax levy was also presented by the library board as a potential funding option, but with the intent of maintaining current funding levels rather than reducing them.

City officials also noted uncertainty in future state funding, including potential reductions in municipal equalization funds, as a factor in the decision.

During the City Council meeting, Library Director Robin Quinn asked city officials for clarification on allowable funding sources to assist in planning for the reduced budget.

“It would be really helpful in planning for a more than $40,000 budget cut if we could get some sort of list of what has to be paid for with city funds and what can be paid for by other entities,” Quinn said. 

City officials said this information would be provided to the library.

Following the decision, library officials expressed concern in an email about the impact of the funding reduction.

“We are sad. We are shocked at the timing of the cuts as the budget usually doesn’t even start being discussed until mid-summer,” Quinn said. “The scope of these cuts, in my opinion, will be devastating to the library’s ability to serve the community. It will mean slashes to staff, programs and services, and hours. There is nothing else left to cut.”

“Libraries are more than just the books that they hold. They are the services they provide, the people they help, the ideas they share, the connections they foster,” she said. “It is disheartening to think about yet another community gathering place being compromised.”

Library Board Member Madie Kemling also emphasized the importance of the library as a community resource.

“The library is one of the first places that felt like home after we moved to Grant,” Kemling said. “In a small town, it is absolutely essential to offer amenities and spaces that accommodate families.”

Kemling said the board had limited time and options to respond to the funding situation.

“The library board was presented with very few options for funding with little time to come up with a sustainable solution,” Kemling said. “We chose to ask for an increase in the tax levy, as we lacked the time, energy and support to propose a sales tax.”

She added that the board advocated for what it believed was in the best interest of both the library and the community.

“We asked and advocated for our funding in a way that we believed was in the best interest of our library and our city,” Kemling said. “More than ever now, we need support from our community and our county.”

City officials indicated the timing of the approved funding level will allow the library board time to adjust its budget ahead of the next fiscal year, which starts in October.