Park Ridge homeowners would pay $117,092 more collectively in property taxes to fund the public library under a draft budget headed to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The proposed 2026 levy of $4,453,813 represents a 2.7% increase over the 2025 levy of $4,336,721, according to the library's budget packet posted Friday, Aug. 7. The increase is pegged to the 2025 Consumer Price Index.
The figure is up from a 2% placeholder the board discussed at its July 14 meeting. Library Director Joanna Bertucci and Finance/HR Manager Joan Wrenn prepared the draft in consultation with department managers.
New outreach position, raises
The biggest line-item changes sit in the $2,830,000 salary budget, a 3.3% jump over FY26. That total includes:
- $104,900 for a 4% average merit raise pool, above the library's seven-year average of 3.4% and the HR Source industry projection of 3.6%
- $31,200 for a new half-time Adult Services Outreach Coordinator who would visit senior living communities and retirement residences to expand awareness of library services
- $19,500 for one-time merit bonuses and pay-grade adjustments
The 4% merit pool also exceeds the 3.5% rate used in FY26. In her Aug. 7 memo to the board, Bertucci said the salary plan aims to keep the library competitive in the labor market while addressing wage compression in lower pay grades. Cook County's minimum wage rose from $15.00 to $15.40 per hour on July 1, squeezing the gap between entry-level and experienced staff.
Salaries and benefits account for 70% of the proposed operating budget.
Staffing and turnover
The library currently employs 68 people with three open positions. Since August 2025, 17 staff members have resigned, up from 14 the prior year, while 16 new hires came on board.
The proposed FY27 full-time equivalent count is 48, down one from FY26.
Tax receipts lagging
Bertucci flagged ongoing delays in Cook County property tax collections at the July 14 meeting. The library has received only about 50% of budgeted 2025 tax receipts so far, and 2024 taxes came in at 93% of budget. Alderperson Lauren Rapisand, the City Council's library liaison, attended that July discussion.
What's next
The board will review the budget and levy at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the First Floor Meeting Room at 20 S. Prospect Ave. The meeting is open to the public. Board President Theresa Renaldi and eight other trustees are expected to take up the proposal before a final vote scheduled for Sept. 15. The Park Ridge City Council would then approve the library's budget and levy in December.
