Library upgrades coming in Fort Dodge
Council continues its budget work
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-Messenger file photo
The Fort Dodge Public Library will soon be getting a $1.1 million update. The updates will be paid for with a combination of money from a general obligation bond issue and money donated to the library previously by the Scarfenburger family. The library by the City Square opened in January 2001.

-Messenger file photo
The Fort Dodge Public Library will soon be getting a $1.1 million update. The updates will be paid for with a combination of money from a general obligation bond issue and money donated to the library previously by the Scarfenburger family. The library by the City Square opened in January 2001.
The Fort Dodge Public Library will soon be getting a $1.1 million update.
Putting down new carpeting, painting and bringing in new furniture will account for most of the project. Some new doors will also be installed.
The updates will be paid for with a combination of money from a general obligation bond issue and money donated to the library previously by the Scarfenburger family.
The library by the City Square opened in January 2001.
The City Council was briefed on the project Monday evening as it continued its work on the proposed 2025-2026 budget.
Because it is being paid for with general obligation bond money and donated money, the library update isn’t counted as part of the library’s general fund operating budget.
The proposed budget for the library for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is $948,127.
The current library budget is $912,553.
As presented Monday, the budget includes money to hire a new youth services librarian to replace an employee who is retiring after about 40 years of service to the community.
About 54,000 people visited the library last year, Rita Schmidt, the library director, told the council Monday.
She added that the library’s collection includes about 85,000 items, including books and DVDs.
Public Areas
The Public Areas Department is a new city agency, and the current fiscal year is the first one of its existence.
Assistant City Manager Ryan Maehl described it as the “offspring” of the former Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. It took over the parks and forestry operations. It also maintains the city’s three cemeteries.
The proposed department budget is $205,352. That is down just slightly from the current $206,561.
Each of the cemeteries has its own budget. They are North Lawn Cemetery ($161,953), Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery ($113,452) and Oakland Cemetery ($63,076).
The Public Areas Department has three employees assigned to the cemeteries.
Recreation
The Recreation Department spending includes its budget for recreation programs like sports leagues, plus separate budgets for the major facilities it oversees.
Here is a summary of recreation spending
Lakeside Municipal Golf Course
Proposed: $742,567
Current: $636,189
Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex
Proposed: $524,296
Current: $492,501
Aquatics (Splash pad and Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center)
Proposed: $424,422
Current: $411,846
Community recreation
Proposed: $226,293
Current: $238,017
Airport
The proposed budget for the Fort Dodge Regional Airport is $836,498.
Because the airport generates its own revenue from various fees it collects, only $244,386 of that amount will be coming from city property taxpayers.
The current airport budget is $773,407.