Future of Altamonte Springs library uncertain as residents push back on possible budget cut
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. —
The future of Altamonte Springs’ 66-year-old library is uncertain as residents express anger over the possibility that the facility will be excluded from the city’s proposed 2027 budget.
“This is just a great place for families with young children,” resident Jessica Lynch said.
Nicole Donelson, another resident, said the library serves an important role for her family, including her parents.
“It is also a place for my parents. They don’t have the same kind of reliable transportation, and so they come here a lot,” Donelson said.
The city manager has informed library staff that while the proposed budget has not yet been announced, it likely will not include funding for the library.
The library faced a similar threat two years ago, prompting an outcry from residents. Commissioner Bob O’Malley said the city had considered cutting the library because of budget concerns.
“We had plans to cut the library because of budget concerns,” O’Malley said.
According to minutes from a special meeting on July 18, 2024, City Manager Martz addressed concerns from residents who felt the decision to cut the library had come “out of the blue.”
The minutes state that Martz said many people believed the proposed cut had come unexpectedly, but he assured residents that the city had spent several months evaluating revenue projections that appeared unlikely to cover the budget.
Residents previously supported a property tax increase to help save the library.
According to the meeting minutes, Martz said a 0.9-mill property tax increase would raise about $4.3 million to $4.4 million annually and restore most of the items removed from the budget, including the library.
Lynch questioned how the additional tax revenue was being allocated.
“With that tax revenue, the ultimate library budget for this last year was around $500,000. So, like, where did all those funds go?” Lynch said.
O’Malley said he continues to support keeping the library fully funded.
“I intend to vote against any budget that does not include full funding for our library,” he said.
Residents hope city commissioners will view the library as an investment in the community rather than simply another budget line item.
The city commissioners are scheduled to vote on the 2027 budget at a meeting Sept. 3.