Naperville Public Library seeking 8% budget increase in 2027

Naperville Public Library’s proposed 2027 operating budget calls for an 8.11% spending hike — about $1.5 million more than this year and the largest increase in the last five years.

“We’ve been really great with keeping our budget asks to exactly what we need,” Executive Director Dave Della Terza said. “But this year everything is just very expensive, and it really is everything across the board.”

Despite the increase, Della Terza described this budget as more of a one-time “course correction.” Skyrocketing health insurance costs were the main driver of a jump in last year’s budget, leading them to delay other initiatives.

“We were able to operate OK this year, but now looking at next year’s budget, because we asked for not very much last year and everything’s costing a lot more, this is kind of just getting us back on track,” he said.

To generate the money needed next year, the library is proposing an 8.05% property tax levy increase to bring in a total of about $19.2 million. The exact impact on taxpayers has not been determined because the library budget is one part of the Naperville city budget. ​Ultimately, the tax rate is based on the overall amount needed by the city.

The library board signed off on the proposed spending plan and tax levy request Wednesday, sending it to the council for review and final approval.

While the library does not have taxing authority, about 96% of its budget comes from property tax revenue. Della Terza emphasized, however, that despite the increase, the library’s portion of the city property tax rate is very low and, since 2014, its property tax request has declined.

Several factors, including property values, ultimately determine the rate and total impact on the average Naperville taxpayer.

“If our budget this year was the budget we’re requesting for next year, the average Naperville household would pay about $25 more a year,” he said. “That may not be exactly what happens based on property values and all that stuff, but that’s about what we’d be looking at.”

The library’s total operating budget proposed for 2027 is $19,979,728. More funds are needed to support everything from competitive salaries to increased staffing hours.

Salaries and wages are budgeted at $10.5 million in 2027, an increase of 6.7% over what was allotted last year. Part of what is driving that increase in wages is a 2% merit increase next year for all library staff other than the executive director.

A salary structure update is also expected next year to ensure that employee positions meet cost of living expectations. The lowest paid position at Naperville Public Library, which is $16 an hour, could see an increase to $16.75 an hour, though Della Terza noted that number could change.

In addition to wages for staff, the library is also launching five paid internship opportunities for adults with disabilities, which is expected to cost $10,000 annually.

Della Terza said he first discussed the idea with local nonprofit Little Friends a few years ago, noting that the library already employs many people with disabilities and is generally a good work environment for that population.

The library was finally able to test the idea this year, starting with an intern from Turning Point Autism Foundation in the spring.

“It went so well that she actually came back and interned with us again in the summer because it was such a successful program,” Della Terza said, noting that the library is currently working with Little Friends to bring on another intern in the fall.

For next year’s internship program, Della Terza said the library hopes to receive applications from a wider range of organizations.

Salaries aside, benefit costs are projected to increase overall by 6.34%. That includes a 7% increase in healthcare, retirement and Social Security costs and a roughly 5% increase in dental costs.

Other notable changes include changing the Sunday hours at all three library branches.

Beginning in January, Sunday hours will be adjusted to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round, which is expected to cost the library a little less than $50,000. Current Sunday hours are 1 to 5 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on the location and time of year.

“Whenever I work on Sundays at 1 o’clock, I see lines of people out the door waiting to get into the library so we know people want to get in earlier as well,” Della Terza said.

Expanding the library’s collections is also part of the 2027 budget, which is seeing a $217,000 increase in spending. That includes a particular focus on adding more physical books for the children’s section and expanding the library’s access to online books.

“Those electronic books, we pay sometimes close to $100 for a copy of one of those books that can be checked out a certain number of times, so it’s a lot more than what a consumer pays,” Della Terza said, noting that electronic books are becoming more popular among library patrons.

The council will review the library’s proposed budget before approving it as part of the full city budget in December. Budget workshops are scheduled for Sept. 21, Oct. 27 and Nov. 10.

cstein@chicagotribune.com