by Stephanie Baker
The Johnson County Public Library Board met in a special session on Thursday, March 5, via teleconference and approved a $100,000 transfer from the library’s investment account to the 2026 operating budget for the building project. The item will be added to the next Quorum Court meeting agenda and will need approval before the transfer can be completed.
Branch Manager Jimmy Ritchie explained the project funding was included in the library’s 2025 budget, and the extension period for accessing last year’s funding expired at the end of February. The $100,000 will be moved from the investment savings to the operating budget and then used to pay for the building project expenses, which are currently $96,933.37.
The transfer to the 2026 budget is necessary to pay for the remainder of the first phase of the expansion project, Ritchie said.
Automatic doors and light fixtures are among the final items remaining in phase one of the project, which is expected to be finished by the end of March, according to Ritchie.
The building project did reduce the carryover fund and, after discussion with Consultant Kathy Jones, Ritchie said he decided to present the investment transfer request to the Board.
The item received unanimous approval, with Board member Alvin Mason absent.
After the transfer is complete, $306,000 will remain in the library’s investment account, according to Ritchie. He also said delinquent taxes are still being paid, with money continuing to come into the library.
The Board will hold its next regular quarterly meeting in April; no date or time has been set.
Read this story and others in the March 11 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
