The Library Board discussed whether to continue contributing money to the community navigator position for Eudora at its Tuesday meeting.
Eudora’s navigator, Laura Smith, has taken a position at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Her position will now be through the hospital rather than United Way. Smith will still have an office at Anchored Collective and be a resource to Eudora families, she said.
United Way has discussed plans to eventually have a new navigator who caters to Eudora, but the timeline for that is unknown. The board discussed next steps until that navigator is hired, and whether or not to continue contributing to Smith as she will still serve in that capacity to Eudora through the hospital.
The library has historically contributed $13,000 to Smith in a contractual capacity for her work partnering with the library and working on joint projects to bring resources to patrons. That work would be after hours from her normal day-to-day duties for Children’s Mercy, she said.
Library Board President Kenny Massey asked what the library would continue to receive if it did contribute the money.
Smith said there are certain resources she provides in partnership with the library, and said there are also often calls she gets from librarians asking for her to connect with families. If the library decided not to fund the position, she would not be able to help with housing and utility assistance through the Housing Stabilization Collaborative of Douglas County.
Although that’s what they feel most comfortable asking about, oftentimes it opens up doors to Smith addressing other needs down the line, too, she said.
Massey said the board will continue to think about whether or not to continue to support navigation as they work through the budget process.
The board also has to consider if it wants to wait and support a navigator once United Way decides to fund one of its own for Douglas County.
Board member Amy Jankowski also asked if there was potential for pay in parts rather than the $13,000 all at once in case United Way decides to employ someone new for the position.
Massey also said it would be helpful to see data that shows how many Eudora families Smith is helping, especially if they decide to support the position again.
Smith said it can be hard to track down numbers because of HIPAA confidentiality and the nature of her job always being on the move rather than sitting in an office.
The board also discussed preliminary budget information as it continues to figure out whether it needs to plan for expansion to a new building or its existing building.
The library has not raised its mill levy, rather only lowered it, so the board is also discussing the potential of raising to 3.72 mills, which is about a half mill increase.
Massey said the board will continue to discuss the mill rate, and whether or not to increase the half mill or slightly more.
Budget conversations include expansion of programming because the library is not doing as much as it wants to, Director Carol Wohlford said. The library also needs to develop its collection and update computers.
In 2025, the library also significantly cut its marketing budget, something Wohlford said she hopes to increase in 2026 to bring more visibility to the community.
Employees will also get 2.5% cost-of-living raises for 2026. Salaries were not advanced in 2025, she said.
Utility rates will also increase for the library, especially if it moves into the former quilt store building.
The board also decided its plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate.
The board will continue to look at budget plans for if it moves to the quilt shop building or stays in the current location.
Board member Eric Magette said he would like to see the budget include improvements for the new building and if the library doesn’t end up moving they can incorporate some of those into the current building. He said he would rather approve a budget that has the library expanding and need to cut some items later or having to later republish the budget.
The board also went into executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss the ongoing negotiations for the quilt shop building at 736 Main. No action was taken.
Massey said they are still interested in the building and continuing to have conversations with their real estate agency on next steps.
The board also discussed an invoice for $3,290 from Studio One for prework related to the potential purchase of the Main Street building. The payment will come out of the capital campaign fund.
