Fitchburg, WI Library Board 10-21-26

The Fitchburg Library Board meeting on October 21, 2026, included budget and purchasing updates. Staff reported annual elevator-permit costs that were higher than expected, a $290 payment to Johnson Controls for fire-extinguisher inspection and servicing, and gasoline spending 2% over budget. Collection purchasing is now catching up after a two-month pause during the library’s ILS transition. The building chiller has a leaking valve; Masters is obtaining a replacement, but the repair cost was not yet known. The board also discussed room-rental fees, but made no decision; staff will explore suggested donations as a possible revenue option while maintaining free access to meeting rooms.

The board approved the Gift to Library policy as amended. The discussion clarified that unrestricted monetary gifts of $10,000 or more to the library’s general fund would be presented to the board for input on their use; gifts to the Friends or endowment are treated separately. The board also reviewed annual resolution R-180-26 requesting exemption from the county library tax, which depends on meeting service and collection standards. Staff said it would proceed to the Finance Committee and City Council; no board vote on the resolution is captured in the transcript. The potential tax avoided was described as more than $1 million at current rates, compared with $985,000 paid in 2010.