Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Everyone who wanted to speak at the Warsaw Common Council meeting Monday night on the Warsaw Community Public Library’s request for $17 million in additional appropriations for bonds for building repairs was allowed to, unrestrained by time limitations.
Minutes before the start of the meeting, the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory official count was 158 people in attendance, with more coming in after that.
That pushed the meeting that started at 7 p.m. past the midnight hour when a motion to approve the resolution for the bonds finally came but was defeated by a 3-4 vote.
The WCPL representatives gave a presentation on the need first, followed by questions by the council, then those in favor of the request, those in opposition, a response by WCPL and then back to the council for their comments.
The WCPL Presentation
Ben Rice, treasurer and trustee of the WCPL, and member of the renovation committee, said the Board of Trustees has been pursuing a renovation project in earnest for about three years, but has been in regular discussions about renovations for at least the last eight years.
In 2024, he said they worked with MK Architecture for a feasibility report, which was presented to the Common Council and community in February 2025.
“The renovation committee and board have been working with our architecture partners at Luminaut, bond counsel at Ice Miller and municipal advisors at Baker Tilly to continue to bring the project to light,” Rice said. “We held public hearings last October and November, with no opposition at our meetings and no petition remonstrance.”
Sarah Correll, with bond counsel Ice Miller, reiterated the process began eight years ago, but legal and procedural steps began in July 2025. Two public hearings were held in October and November, but no objections were received by the end of 2025.
“The law changed in 2019 to require any libraries who wish to issue debt to receive fiscal body of approval, and that's why we’re here tonight. So, the city council is the appropriate council for the Warsaw Library,” she explained. She noted the debt is not county’s nor would it count toward the city’s debt limit.
Library Director Heather Barron said the library has followed every legal step over the past few years “to ensure that this project is fiscally responsible. That includes reducing the original cost estimate down from $22 million. We’ve also been transparent,” including holding two public meetings that no one attended.
“Next year, we’ll mark 110 years of serving this community, if we are able to complete critical repairs and upgrades needed to sustain it,” Barron said. “Many people remark on how good the building looks. It’s beautiful ... This bond is not about cosmetic upgrades. The bond, the investment, is in the systems behind walls, above ceilings and for things that people generally never see. Yet, these are the very things that allow the building and staff to function safely.”
She said they are addressing critical infrastructure, accessibility and safety issues. The library’s last renovation was 30 years ago, and the last bond was paid off early.
“The library is limited in how much revenue, property and miscellaneous taxes it can receive. State legislation was passed this year that will reduce the amount by which public libraries in Indiana can grow their budgets. SEA 1 will cut library budgets, and public libraries in Indiana are already limited on how much they’re allowed to save each year. Given these parameters and the scope of work needed at WCPL, the library would never be able to save enough money to complete the necessary upgrades. This is why the libraries use bonds,” Barron stated.
Indiana libraries are mainly paid for by property taxes from the townships that adopt resolutions for service to their residents. The WCPL is in Wayne Township, so residents in Wayne Township receive library cards because they pay for the library. Anyone who lives out of the township pays for a library card.
Barron shared the library’s statistics, noting they have over 114,000 visitors a year for a variety of reasons.
The last time the library sought additional funding was in 1996 for an expansion, she said. Taxpayers haven’t experienced library debt since 2015 when the bond was paid off early. In 2024, a feasibility study was conducted that highlighted the “urgent need to address aging infrastructure, accessibility challenges and safety concerns,” she said.
They’ve been working with Erin Jennings, Luminaut principal architect on the project, and her team to determine the cost of addressing the issues. Infrastructure makes up 60% of the bond request. There’s also mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Accessibility makes up 20%, with soft costs making up about the remaining costs.
Lisa Huntington, with Baker Tilly, municipal advisors, said to cover the hard and soft costs, they proposed borrowing $17,090,000 to cover the costs, leaving about $16,719,000 to address the project. The difference being the estimated issuance costs, getting the bonds to market, and underwriter fees.
They assumed a repayment term of 19 years, with a maximum repayment term of 20 years. The 19-year assumption was to keep the payment as low as possible. “This has the lowest impact then on the taxpayer at about 6.8 cents. The estimated maximum debt service payment is $1,760,000, again based on a 19-year payment. For that repayment term, we estimated interest costs of $11,811,000. Please note this is a very conservative estimate. We are assuming 5.5% coupons,” Huntington said.
The estimated tax impact on a home with a market value of $175,300 - the median home value in the city of Warsaw - would be about $50 per year, or $4.16 per month. She said that assumes the taxpayers are not at the cap. The tax impact for a home at the cap would be lower.
Rice wrapped up the presentation, saying, “If the bond is not approved, the library must wait two years to come before the council again. The library does not have the reserve funds to pay for all the large-scale commercial upgrades and repairs. Warsaw could become the first community to house a closed public library.”
Council Questions
Councilman Mike Klondaris asked why there was no Rainy Day Fund (RDF) available to address some of the issues over the years.
Barron stated there is a RDF, and libraries are limited to how much they can save each year. They can save up to 10% of their operating fund. They’re also limited on how much of that they can have cumulatively. Libraries are capped at 150% of their operating income in the amount they can have in reserves.
“So, again, that would be about $6 million for us currently. Not enough money to address all the critical infrastructure alone,” Barron said.
Council President Jack Wilhite asked how much of that $6 million could they have in the RDF do they actually have. Barron said they currently have about $500-$600,000. They’ve been saving what they can, but last year they had to pay $230,000 from the RDF to replace the boiler. She said they’re experiencing costs all the time.
Councilman Josh Finch asked why they haven’t done any fundraising in the last eight years for the infrastructure needs. He said Indiana does allow private funding to be accepted by public libraries.
Barron, who has only been the library director since 2023, said bonds are the way that Indiana public libraries typically do large-scale upgrades. She said there’s also a concern that if they were to start accepting private donations, those donations may come with stipulations.
“One of the best things about having people invest in people, is that we keep things democratic, open, free for all. We don’t want any stipulations on any funds that we receive,” Barron said.
In response to a question from Councilman Juergen Voss, Barron pointed out the library’s fire suppression system recently failed a test. Voss said it failed 10 years ago, too.
Finch asked if the library had a plan if the resolution didn’t pass. Barron said they would take care of everything they could, as best as they can.
“We have to fix our sprinkler system. We failed the fire suppression test. That was roughly a cost, at the last estimate, of around ($250,000). We also, our building management system is basically a manual system at this point. That is half a million dollars. Again, we don’t have enough to cover both of those items. And the chiller. The chiller, I believe, would be another half million ... even more than that. We would do what we can, but, again, we are limited in our funds,” Barron responded.
Public Hearing - For
Mayor Jeff Grose let those in favor of the resolution speak first, followed by those who opposed. Twenty-nine spoke in favor, and 15 spoke against.
In favor, Samuel Anderson, who lives near downtown, said he was speaking for a group who helped him come up with his comments.
“Our local Carnegie Library is more than just a building filled with books. It is a living piece of our community’s history. For generations, it has stood as a symbol of learning, opportunity and public service. Families have gathered there, children have discovered a love of reading there, which, God, we need now. And countless residents have relied on it as a safe and welcoming place. Today, we have a responsibility to preserve that tradition,” he said, in part.
While graduating high school senior Titiksha Gorhe spoke about how everyone can benefit from what the library has to offer, and how it provides many opportunities, another woman spoke about how it helped her start her own business.
Connie Ker said she’s been a library cardholder since 1974, and now as a widow she comes to the library for adult activities. Others talked about the inaccessibility of the library for elderly or disabled persons, how their children love the children’s department, the library creates opportunities and the history of the library.
Speakers like former Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Lee Harman spoke on the importance of libraries in communities and that “libraries play an essential part of the community.”
Sea Grandon, an attorney, downtown business owner and mother of four, stated, in part, “Not approving this bond would be a gross failure of economic foresight. Public libraries provide a massive return on investment. They function as economic engines by driving workforce development, supporting small business, increasing surrounding property values and providing equitable access to technology. There is a direct economic benefit to citizens who have access to the library.”
Warsaw School Board President Heather Reichenbach, as well as Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker, were two other prominent citizens that spoke in support.
Public Hearing - Against
Opposition began with Craig Nayrocker and then Michael Alspaugh.
Alspaugh said, in part, “When I saw six or seven months ago that the library wanted to raise a lot of funds, and I saw the numbers, I almost had a heart attack. I don’t know about everybody else, but my tax assessment went up $60,000 last year and $56,000 this year and I haven’t done anything to my house. It needs a lot of things. But when I see us spending money, we built a new street department building, I get nervous. I’m retired. I’m 70 years old. If my taxes keep going up, I’m going to have to run for mayor again, and I really like Jeff, so there’s the dilemma.”
Leslie Jarvis questioned how the library got to this point where it needed $17 million for repairs. She spoke on the need for the library to plan and budget like everyone else.
Laurie Voss, who retired from the library in April after 25 years, said, “I support funding for essential infrastructure needs, such as heating, cooling, maintenance and necessary repairs. However, I do not believe a $17 million expansion or renovation is a responsible use of taxpayer money at this time.”
Monica Boyer stated she loved the library, but, “We heard a lot of emotion tonight, and when you talk about kids and all of these things, and wonderful things that have been said tonight, there’s a lot of emotion there. But, I’m asking you, council, to think collectively. ... I’m asking you to think budget-wise. And I’m asking you to go outside the city and I know there’s parameters, there’s different departments, but for everything we want here, this special event, this special project here that we need - we’ve got to have it now! There are five more projects out there in the county level.”
She said it was very difficult to look at one project like the library and not think about other projects like the potential county parking garage, airport projects and school projects.
“So for every committee here that we have, we have five more committees that will just raise your taxes just a little bit,” Boyer said.
Katye Fussle decried her taxes that keep going up, saying, “We feel like we’re being taxed to death.” Lynn Howie also stated she can’t afford more taxes.
Two Kosciusko County Councilmen - Dave Wolkins and Will Stockdale - also spoke against the resolution.
“I’m opposed to it for two reasons,” Wolkins said, noting he was there as a taxpayer and not as a councilman. “One, first of all, no one wants to shut down your library. It’s a great asset, love it. No problem. My problem is the timing of it and who’s having to pay for it. Right now, the property tax is on the homeowner. The homeowner is getting nailed. ... SB1, we’re all going to get less money, you as a city, the library is going to get less money. We’re going to have less money coming in. The property taxpayer is the one that’s having to pay for it. The General Assembly is working on that, that’s what they tried to do with Senate Bill 1. They took away some of the property tax. They’re heading towards Local Income Tax, they’re wanting you to take the income tax.”
He said he’s trying to figure out what the downside to waiting a year or two is while the General Assembly tries to figure out what’s going to happen with property taxes. He said the library will still be able to handle their visitors and do their programs.
Stockdale, who admitted he doesn’t live in the library’s district, said it was always easier to spend other people’s money than to reach into our own pocketbooks and do it ourselves. He questioned why the library was wanting to do all the repairs at once, and said libraries may be obsolete anyways by the time the bond was paid off.
Others the council heard from included Steve Long, who said he hasn’t been to the library since 2006; Kyle Tom, who said $17 million was an “outrageous” amount; and a landlord who said the taxes would cause landlords to raise their rentals so high that tenants couldn’t afford to rent anymore.
Each of the council members went through their reasonings, but the end result was a defeat for the library.
