City/County Library Committee 6/15/26 at 5:30 p.m.

The City/County Library Committee of Minot met on June 15, 2026, to discuss the potential merger of the Minot Public Library and Ward County Library systems. The meeting focused heavily on budget analysis, exploring three merger scenarios with projected savings ranging from approximately $80,000 to $2.7 million over 10 years, depending on the structure and attrition assumptions. Key procurement-related topics included the evaluation of one-time merger costs, potential operational savings, and the impact on staffing and services. The committee also discussed the possibility of pursuing grant funding to cover merger expenses and the need for a memorandum of understanding to achieve efficiencies without a full merger. A motion was passed to continue work on the merger with the goal of possibly placing the issue on the 2028 ballot, allowing more time for detailed planning, legal review, and public communication. No contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, but the discussion centered on financial and operational considerations that could influence future procurement and budget decisions related to library services.