Laurie Tomlin, director of finance for EVPL, told the council the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library system’s proposed 2026 budgets and tax levies were prepared under Department of Local Government Finance procedures and would reflect only a small increase from 2025. “All budget forms were previously reviewed by the DLGF south west representative during the 20 25 virtual budget workshop and estimated budgets and corresponding levy rates were calculated per the prescribed method of the DLGF at or under the state maximum growth quotient of 4%,” Tomlin said. She told council members the total estimated budgets across the library’s five funds show “less than half a percent increase, point 44% to be exact,” compared with 2025.

The budget documents Tomlin presented, she said, use a conservative 85% of the county’s reported net assessed value to account for potential appeals and other reductions before levy certification. “Therefore, what form B actually reflects on this document is an exaggerated levy rate,” Tomlin said. She told the council the three funds eligible for levy taxes should “all level out during the actual certification process by the DLGF once the actual net assessed value is applied.” Tomlin also said the debt service (bond interest redemption) fund will remain rate-neutral and that the special Willard Library levy is capped by state law at 0.0167, or 1.67 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Tomlin gave the council the schedule for public review and adoption: EVPL’s public hearing on the 2026 budgets and notices to taxpayers is scheduled for Sept. 11 at EVPL Central at 4:30 p.m., coinciding with the board of trustees meeting; adoption of the budgets and levies is scheduled for Oct. 9 at the McCullough location. No formal vote or motion on the budgets took place at the council meeting where the presentation was made.

EVPL and Willard Library leaders reported continuing capital work at branches. Heather Kelsey, chief operating officer for EVPL, described ongoing construction at Central and other branches: “Second Floor nonfiction is closed off and they are putting carpet down,” Kelsey said, and the system is fitting a new teen area at Central that she called “looking beautiful.” Kelsey said Oakland has begun a meeting-room addition, where concrete has already been poured, and that Red Bank is in the design phase. Tomlin also reminded the council that the library system is implementing a previously approved $12,000,000 additional appropriation for renovations.

George Carter, executive director of Willard Library, and Steve Worthington, Willard’s treasurer, said work continues at the special library. “We had to replace the the slate roof, the historic slate roof this year. And it's almost done, and, that's actually with all private dollars from the library's foundation,” one Willard representative said, noting the roof work was funded by the library’s foundation rather than levy funds.

Council members did not press for additional detail during the presentation, and Tomlin closed by thanking the council for support and reminding members of the upcoming board and public hearings. The library leaders invited council members and the public to attend the Sept. 11 hearing and the Oct. 9 adoption meeting.