Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Joe Fox officially has been appointed as Warsaw Community Public Library's new director.
Fox was appointed during a WCPL Board of Trustees meeting on Monday.
Currently, Fox works as the library director at Culver-Union Township Public Library, serving in that position for about 2-1/2 years. He previously worked at the Peabody Public Library in Columbia City as a youth services librarian and has worked in libraries since 1998.
Fox will start at WCPL on Sept. 21 with a $92,500 salary. He replaces Heather Barron, who resigned from the position in June.
"It's going to be a lot of getting trust from the staff," said Fox on his plans for coming in as WCPL director. "There's a lot of feeling of frustration that we all feel about government, technology and frustration with each other, too. There's going to be a lot of trust-building and we're going to start working on projects, too, from smaller to larger."
Fox described Warsaw as an "economically dynamic community, there's so much industrial vitality here. I think this is a community that is a powerhouse in the region. I've always thought this would be a great community to work in."
Fox encouraged any community members to come and speak with him about the library.
Prior to their regular meeting, the board held a public hearing for the 2027 budget. The total estimate for the budget is $4,705,662. Business Manager Renee Sweeny said the estimated property tax rate is $0.121 per $100 of assessed valuation but that most of the time that rate ends up being lower than what is advertised.
The board also approved a resolution for nonresident fees for 2027, with the annual individual rate being $116 and the part-year individual rate being $29. Board members and library staff noted they don't set those rates and follow a formula given to them by the state of Indiana.
The board's next meeting is at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
