City of Dunsmuir
STAFF REPORT
RE: Request for Additional Funding by the Friends of the Library I MEETING DATE: 8/7/2025 SUBMITTED BY: Matt Cohrs, City Manager
PURPOSE OF REPORT: D Information only [8J Discussion [8J Action Item PLACEMENT ON AGENDA: cg] New Business D Old Business D Consent D Special Presentation D Public Hearing
WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF THE CITY COUNCIL: To discuss and potentially consider a request from the Friends of the Library board for additional funding from the City.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: At the August 6, 2026 City Council Meeting, members of the Friends of the Library Board, along with supporters of the library, spoke during public comment. During this time, a request for an additional $15,000 in funding from the city was made as the Library is facing a shortfall and will need to close for a couple of weeks this month due to that funding gap.
As noted at the meeting, the city currently provides $31,000 annually to support the Library, as well as owning the Library building and covering all costs for the operation and maintenance of it. Conservatively, the building cost (maintenance, no rent) is worth $50,000 to $60,000 annually, for a total level of support from the city of between $81,000 to $91,000.
The City Manager has been corresponding with the Friends of the Library Board to gain a better understanding of their financial situation and reasons for the shortfall. This includes more detailed documentation of the library budget, with revenues and expenditures broken down by type. On August 27, 2026, the City Manager met with Mr. Tim Holt, Library Board Member, to further discuss the information that was provided and actions that the Library Board could take to better explain their request, as well as more clearly describing the value, such as services and programs, that the community gets from the Library with the funding.
Per the discussion, the City Manager has agreed to support a request for one time funding in the amount of $5,000 to bridge the deficit, on the condition that the Library present to the City Council and articulate their request in more detail. Further, as the initial request from the Library was for $15,000, and only $5,000 is being recommended, the Library Board agreed to work closely with the City Manager on their longer-term planning, programs and services, comparisons with the other libraries in Siskiyou County, and fundraising plans beyonf funding from the city. Any future requests for additional funding will be contingent on completion of this work.
Mr. Tim Holt and other members of the Library Board will present to the City Council about the Library's request and answer any questions.
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