The 2021-2022 Library Annual Report, presented by Library Director Trevor Sherping and Director of Youth Services Olivia Kahler, ended the regular meeting of the Kalona City Council on a high note this week.

From the success of the Summer Reading Program, which saw “a record number of participants this year,” to the highest physical circulation numbers the library has seen yet, the report from the library leadership was all positive.

Sherping and Kahler reviewed the big things the library has accomplished this year, which included going fine-free, adopting a new catalog system, reworking the library volunteer program, and conducting 53 in-person programs in the 9-week long Summer Reading Program. 

“The thing I really want to point out,” Sherping said while presenting the annual statistics, “Is we broke 50,000 circulations of physical materials for the first time ever.  That is a record for the library one year after that massive drop-off from the pandemic.”

“I think that’s very impressive,” he added.  “We still have the same number of patrons, still have the same door count.  Really, the only thing I can attribute that to, when I think about it, is just a welcoming environment.  People enjoy spending time here.”

After fielding questions from council members about why Kalona’s library is so successful, Sherping said, “I feel like I have a very easy job because I don’t have to work hard to get people in.  For some reason, our community really loves to use the library.”

“One thing I will say, on the revenue side,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said, “I think it’s important for everybody to acknowledge here, county funds make up a portion of their budget.  Our library serves a lot of county residents.  It’s going to be very important that we all speak to our elected officials at the county level to make sure that they maintain that county [funding].”

Several council members expressed their appreciation for Sherping and Kahler’s work at the library. 

“This is so good, this is so good,” council member Craig Spitzer said after inquiring about the collection.

“You do a good job, and I really want to tell you how much I appreciate all the people that work over there,” council member Jenelle Bender concurred.

Copies of the Kalona Public Library 2022 Annual Report are available for viewing at the Kalona Public Library.

City Administrator’s Report

In his report to the City Council, Schlabaugh noted that 5th Street is now open, as the soil remediation project and repaving of the street near Midway Van Rental is now complete.  Letters will go out this week to golf cart and UTV owners with instructions on how to renew registrations for 2023.  Most leaves have been collected, and pre-snow street sweeping is underway.  Crews will conduct agreed-upon repair work to the water plant next week. 

At the Washington County Riverboat Foundation’s Grant Award Celebration on Nov. 16, the city’s municipal grants were acknowledged. 

“Over three quarters, we’ve been awarded $281,959, of which we’ll probably get another check for $55,000+ for the fourth quarter when that comes out.  We’ve seen a huge increase from the last couple of years in the amount of municipal funds we get,” Schlabaugh noted.

Council Actions

Schlabaugh presented the council with the city’s 2021-2022 Annual Financial Report, which the council unanimously approved. 

“Our 2022 balances, both bank and software systems, do match,” Schlabaugh said.  “We have more than ample reserves to meet what the auditor would like to see, what the state would recommend, to cover six months’ expenditures and so forth.  We’re well above that, so we’re very comfortable with that.”

“We have borrowing capacity of just shy of $11 million, and we’re operating at about 30% of that,” he added.  “There are communities not very far from us that are at 80%.  80% would limit your vision.  30% allows for vision.  [That’s] how I look at it.  Now, that’s not to say we go out and go crazy, but you have the ability to look in the future and look at what is going to be best for your community. . . So we feel very comfortable.”

The council also passed a resolution approving the city’s fiscal year 2023-2024 TIF Certification, and set a work session for Monday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss a game plan for the city’s next Student-Built house project.