To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Library
Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Mellisa Hannum |
Phone: |
707-882-3114 |
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Department Contact: |
Kelly Hansen |
Phone: |
707-234-2872 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Approval of Library Advisory Board Recommendation to Allocate Measure O - 40% Funds Towards a 10-year Capital Investment Plan that Supports Fair and Equitable Distribution Across All Areas of the County Through a Distribution Methodology that Targets Investments in Library Branches Based on the Population of Their Service Areas
(Sponsor: Library)
Vote Requirement: Majority
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Approve Library Advisory Board recommendation to allocate Measure O - 40% funds towards a 10-year Capital Investment Plan that supports fair and equitable distribution across all areas of the county through a distribution methodology that targets investments in library branches based on the population of their service areas.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
Adoption of Resolution No. 25-105 on June 24, 2025, approving the FY25-26 Mendocino County Final Budget including the Library Capital Investment Fund and its associated capital investment projects.
Adoption of Resolution No. 26-103 on June 23, 2026, approving the FY26-27 Mendocino County Final Budget including the Library Measure O Capital Investment Fund and its associated capital investment projects
Summary of Request:
Measure O states that at least 40% of the Measure O funds are reserved for capital investment in Library facilities and that the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board shall determine a fair and equitable distribution of funds to all areas of the County. It also states that proceeds from this tax shall be allocated by the Board of Supervisors acting in consideration of recommendations of the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board.
Guided by these requirements and with a desire to take a long-term, strategic approach to the Library’s capital investment needs, Library staff developed a 10-year Capital Investment Plan. The Library Advisory Board reviewed, discussed, and unanimously recommended this plan at its September 9, 2026, meeting.
To develop this plan, Library staff reviewed the County’s 2023 Facility Assessment, the Library’s strategic priorities, and the needs previously discussed with the Library Advisory Board during the FY26-27 budget development process. Staff collaborated with the Library team, Facilities, and the Executive Office to identify, prioritize, and schedule capital projects for each branch.
Capital project costs for the 10-year plan were developed using current project estimates from the FY25-26 and FY26-27 Library Capital Investment budget cycles as the baseline. These include estimates provided by Facilities and architect/engineering contractors for projects such as the Willits Branch Refresh & ADA Upgrade Project. For branches with similar planned projects, baseline cost-per-square-foot figures were applied to each location’s size and then projected forward using a standard annual escalation assumption (5%) and a modest allowance for Facilities staff project management time. This approach ensures that long-range capital projections remain realistic and consistent.
A population-based distribution method was also created to align each branch’s target share of capital investment with the population it serves. Data sources included the total county population certified by the California State Library (May 26, 2026) and service-area populations based on U.S. Census CCD data. Using this approach, funds were allocated proportionate to each branch’s share of the countywide service area population.
While this method provides the foundation for equitable allocation, several smaller branches ultimately received a higher proportion of funds due to the cost of essential facility improvements at their locations.
The Library acknowledges that while exact proportional distribution of funds may not always be achievable due to facility improvement needs it remains committed to the principle of fairness as the guiding goal.
At its September 9, 2026, meeting the Library Advisory Board unanimously recommended allocating Measure O (40%) Capital Investment Funds toward the 10-year Capital Investment Plan which supports fair and equitable distribution across all areas of the county through a distribution methodology that targets investments in Library branches based on the population of their service areas.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve and provide alternate direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Safe and Healthy County
Supervisorial District: All
Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://www.mendolibrary.org/About/Library-Advisory-Board/LAB-Agendas-and-Minutes>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: BU 6115 (Measure O - 40%) |
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current f/y cost: BU 6115 (Measure O - 40%) budgeted expenditures for FY26-27 are $2,876,500. |
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budget clarification: Anticipate BU 6115 (Measure O - 40%) FY26-27 budgeted expenditures increasing to $4,932,893 with budget adjustment request due to the Willits Branch Refresh & ADA Upgrade Project. |
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annual recurring cost: 10-year Capital Investment Plan lays out capital investment projects for Library through FY34-35 with planned annual expenditures ranging from $51,713 to $6,524,697. |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): Yes |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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