Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Board Meeting of October 13, 2026

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Board meeting was held October 13, 2026, at the Sims Township Branch. Procurement and capital planning featured prominently. The board received an update on the facility master plan update with Group 4 Architecture, including future maintenance, safety and security investments, and branch improvements. The Delhigh branch replacement was approved earlier at a not-to-exceed $14.2 million, with the current GMP estimate around $13.1 million; it is tracking about two and a half months behind schedule, with opening targeted for the third quarter of 2027. The board also considered project change orders, including roughly $46,000 for utility tie-ins and an increase in a soil-related contingency cap from $250,000 to $450,000. A Covedale branch renovation was estimated at about $1.22 million, with approval planning that included a 20% cushion and a total project amount of approximately $2.5 million. The proposed Bonhill branch lease renewal remains unresolved: the landlord’s new terms would raise rent from just over $13,000 to over $21,000 monthly, with annual increases of 3%. The library is preparing RFPs for grounds maintenance, elevator maintenance, and replacement and maintenance of its copier and printer fleet.

Financial and personnel actions included a request for an additional $3 million in health-insurance-fund appropriations to account for stop-loss reimbursements, and approval of 2027 medical-plan contribution shares of 10% employee/90% employer for employee-only coverage and 15%/85% for other tiers. The medical plan is expected to increase library costs by approximately $1.5–$2.2 million; Sun Life was selected as the dental carrier. The facilities report also included a final-credit change order for the Main Library chiller, cooling tower, and generator project. Roll-call votes recorded affirmative votes with Dr. Tubs Wallace abstaining on the referenced actions; the health-plan cost-share vote was explicitly approved. No final decision on the Bonhill lease was reported.