Mokena Library Board Approves Tentative Budget for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year

Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | July 2025

Article Summary
The Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees has formally approved its tentative budget and appropriation notice for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This action sets the stage for a public hearing and the final budget’s adoption, which is scheduled to take place at the board’s August meeting.

Mokena Library 2025-2026 Tentative Budget Key Points:

• The board approved the Tentative Budget & Appropriation Notice for the upcoming fiscal year.

• The library’s leadership team has been meeting with individual departments to develop the budget.

• A public notice for a Budget & Appropriations Hearing must be published at least 30 days before the hearing date.

• The final budget is scheduled for approval at the board’s August meeting.

MOKENA, Il. – The Mokena Community Public Library District is moving forward in its annual financial planning process after the Board of Trustees approved the tentative budget and appropriation notice for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during its meeting on July 22.

Executive Director Cathy Palmer presented the budget report, which she developed in collaboration with Assistant Director Carol Tracy and Deputy Director Luke Surdel. Palmer explained that the leadership team has been conducting detailed meetings with each library department over the past few weeks to discuss time management, programming needs, material orders, and other topics to build a comprehensive financial plan.

“The tentative budget is on the agenda to be approved tonight and the final budget will be approved at the next meeting in August,” Palmer stated, outlining the required legal process.

Before the final budget can be adopted, the library must publish a notice for a public Budget & Appropriations Hearing at least 30 days in advance, allowing for public review and comment on the proposed figures.

Following Palmer’s report, Treasurer Alvin Kempf, Jr. made a motion, seconded by Trustee Sara Carmody, to approve the Tentative Budget & Appropriation notice. A roll call vote was taken, with five trustees voting in favor and two absent, and the motion carried. The board is expected to vote on the final budget at its next regular meeting on August 26