Fitchburg Public Library Board Meeting – November 19, 2025

The Fitchburg Public Library Board met at 5:30 p.m. on November 19, 2025. No written agenda or minutes were available, so this summary is based on the meeting transcript. The board approved routine financial items, the 2026 library budget, the annual Dane County Library System (DCLS) contract, a 2025 budget amendment for utility costs, and the 2026 closure schedule. No public appearances were reported.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the October 25 meeting minutes by voice vote (motion by John).
• Approved the August Financial Register and overview by voice vote. Highlights included a three-pay-period month with higher salary accounts, garage door opener repair, door-counter software costs, mileage reimbursement for a director’s meeting in the Dells, and uncashed patron refund checks trued up at the county level. The copier overage was down to $1.28, with a later noted overage of $0.56. Restricted grant spending was $5,499.89 against a $5,550 grant.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke; no public appearances were reported.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Library Budget: The board discussed the city council-approved budget. It applies $237,040 from the library’s fund balance, resulting in a net surplus/deficit of $237,538, about $500 overspent. Total fund balance is $900,000. The finance director added $800 to the $73,000 utility allocation from a lower-than-expected IT account. Repairs and maintenance by others was budgeted at $5,000, down from $19,000, and staff will pursue carrying forward unspent funds for repairs, custodial supplies, and vehicle expenses.
• DCLS/County Library System Contract: The annual contract was approved. The library will receive $18,418. The payment is lower than recent years because of the town of Madison absorption, the drop-out of 2019 circulation from the three-year average, and Fitchburg residents checking out materials in Verona. A board member confirmed the numbers were double-checked and correct.
• Resolution R200-25 (2025 Budget Amendment): Approved to move $35,000 into utility accounts, including $4,800 from disability premiums and additional interest earnings, to cover higher chiller and solar costs. The 2026 utility budget is $73,800, and a further amendment of perhaps $10,000 may be needed next year. A third of the solar array is not working; an inverter was replaced under warranty, but repair work is still needed. The replaced chiller has not delivered the expected efficiency gains.
• 2026 Library Closure Dates: Approved. The schedule includes federal holidays, early closures on the day before Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, and extended closures around Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Christmas to give paid holiday compensation to weekend staff. New Year’s Eve is being considered as a city paid holiday in the future.
• Board Vice President: The board president announced that Rachel Becker accepted the vice president position, filling out the current year. Board member Logan raised a point of order that the appointment was not on the agenda. The board agreed no formal vote was needed and accepted the appointment.
• Library Director’s Report: November staff in-service included CPR, Narcan, and Stop the Bleed training with Fitchrona, plus manager strategic planning. Wireless session statistics were blank for two months due to a South Central software problem. Three new second-floor security cameras were installed as part of the CIP project and await connection. The CIP project is about $60,000 under budget. A children’s library redesign RFP closed October 31 with two proposals; interviews are scheduled December 1. The library hired an LA2 for adult services. An LA1 posting was expanded to cover a second vacancy and received 57 applicants; interviews are scheduled December 4.
• New Board Member: Brett Wagner introduced himself and said he joined the board after running for Madison School Board, with a focus on literacy advocacy.

Key Outcomes

• Approved October 25 meeting minutes by voice vote.
• Approved August Financial Register and overview by voice vote.
• Approved the 2026 library budget by voice vote.
• Approved the DCLS/county library system contract by voice vote.
• Approved Resolution R200-25, the 2025 budget amendment, by voice vote.
• Approved the 2026 library closure dates by voice vote.
• Accepted Rachel Becker as board vice president.
• No December meeting; the next regular board meeting is January 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.