Pictured, from left, are Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees Member Jill Beehler, Board Secretary Cathi Zdenek, Board President Chris Merrill, Board Vice-President Tim Keyes, Brock Bowsher from Baker-Tilly, Erin Jennings from Luminaut, and Sarah Correll from Ice Miller, all sitting in for the beginning of the second preliminary determination hearing on Monday, Nov. 17.

Text and Photos
By Haylee Gardner
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – The Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees held their second preliminary determination hearing for library renovations.

Sarah Correll from Ice Miller, Erin Jennings from Luminaut, and Brock Bowsher from Baker-Tilly were all present to help explain why the preliminary meeting was happening, and what the public could expect from the bond funds.

WCPL Executive Director Heather Barron gives a presentation on why the library needs renovations.

Correll explained, “Under Indiana code, whenever a library proposes to issue bonds for the construction or renovation of a library building resulting in total project costs in excess of certain thresholds, the library needs to hold two public hearings on its preliminary determination to issue said bonds.”

She also reiterated that they were simply at the beginning of the project, and that while they can always do less, they cannot exceed the threshold given through the bond amounts.

WCPL Executive Director Heather Barron gave the rundown of what was needed for the library, which includes updating infrastructure, allowing more accessibility, and making sure that there is more safety.

Barron stated that in 2024, the library saw over 108,000 visitors and that since the library is a place where many in the community come for comfort, helping to combat the loneliness epidemic, and for also helping with mental health of their patrons, the building needs to reflect that. With the aging infrastructure, it is showing how badly the building needs updated, which is included in the fact that the library had to shut down on Oct. 25 because of a water line bursting.

Jennings showed how they would change the library to be more accessible and functionally better. They would remove the interstitial floor at the entrance facing Main Street and build it up so that floor is a part of the second floor. This will help to ensure that even wheelchair users, strollers, and other mobility aids do not have to fight with incoming traffic and have an easier time getting into the library.

Jennings stated, “Anyone who is walking into the library would have a direct sightline to the staff access sight.” This would help not only the patrons, but the library staff to see who is coming and going from the library. Also by having only that entrance point, it would allow staff to have a better eye on who is in the building at all times.

Bowsher was able to give the financial breakdown of what the bonds would cost for the community as a whole, which all totaled as a preliminary, would be about $50 per year impact that average homeowners within Warsaw Community Public Library’s district would have added to their property taxes. The estimated general obligation debt capacity is $17,150,379, which would have to be paid off in around 20 years. “This assumption is based on 2027 projections,” stated Bowsher.

One member from the community did ask if this would affect the whole county, or specific townships. Bowsher remarked, “Just the townships within the city that the library serves will have this tax raise.”

WCPL Board President Chris Merrill stated that this is just the beginning steps of the renovation project. The second preliminary determination hearing was closed with no further comments from the public.

Regular Board Meeting

Erin Jennings from Luminaut gives a presentation on what the new design will look like for the library.

Correll was present for the adoption of the preliminary determination resolution to summarize it.

“The preliminary determination resolution is required when a library is planning to finance more than a certain amount for a given facility,” said Correll. “So, whenever we are above the threshold that requires the hearing and required to adopt this resolution. It includes the total project cost … and other financial terms, such as the estimated principal amount and the tax impact.”

Correll stated that this was the first, official resolution that sets forth those parameters. The motion to adopt the preliminary determination resolution was seconded and passed by the board.

The second resolution that needed adoption was the reimbursement resolution. Correll stated that it is required by the Internal Revenue Service.

“This one is for the full project amount,” said Correll. “This allows the library, should you spend any of your cash on hand, or funds out of your rainy-day fund, this allows you to reimburse yourself from bond funds for expenses related to the project.”

This was for the full amount and was adopted by the board.

Merrill gave his appreciation to Jennings, Bowsher, and Correll for their continued work on this project.

Brock Bowsher from Baker-Tilly gave the financial run-down for the second preliminary hearing.

Barron gave the director’s report, in which Facilities Director Jim Price gave the update on what happened on Oct. 25. Price stated that the expansion coupler for the hot water system blew the rubber banding, caused the melting of one of the link elements in the sprinkler system, and flooded quickly.

“It took an hour to an hour and a half for it to flood,” said Price. “It was basically the age of the part, and when it cracked, it took out the rest of it.”

Price did mention that because of how old the system is, it caused a reaction to where the dry and wet sprinkler systems both went off, which should not have happened.

Board Vice-President Tim Keyes remarked, “This is an excellent example why these systems need replaced,” when Price was talking about the need for an updated building maintenance system. Barron stated that it will be another two to three months for insurance to catch up, and for them to do renovations from this.

Other Business

• It was reported that $100,000 was spent on Overdrive for e-materials, and that the 17-82 notice for the library looked good.
• They welcomed a new staff member, Andrea Shoemaker-Granger.
• Americans and the Holocaust will be coming to the library next summer, and one of the speakers will be Dr. Steven Carr. He is a professor at PFW and will be coming to present “Hollywood and the Holocaust”, in conjunction with his book release.
• Ben Rice also received congratulations on being picked for Dancing with the Stars Kosciusko County. He will be dancing for Big Brothers Big Sisters and also learning some 80s dance moves.