Library funding, transparency at center of outrage
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Several Laguna Vista residents are questioning cuts to the town’s library budget in the 2025-2026 fiscal year proposal, expressing fears that staff hours, resources, and programming could be reduced at a time when they say library services are more important than ever.
Three residents submitted letters to the PRESS this week, one sent her concerns directly to city officials, citing transparency concerns in the budgeting process and specific reductions to the Laguna Vista Public Library’s funding. One resident, who serves on the library board and the Friends of the Library, wrote that she was initially told at City Hall she could not obtain a copy of the proposed budget until after its approval. “I fear this is a violation of the Texas Open Records Act, Chapter 552,” she wrote. The resident later found the budget posted on the city’s website.
Among her concerns were a reduction in the library clerk’s listed salary from $32,740 to $21,424 in the budget document, along with cuts to several line items, including office supplies, promotional funds, dues and memberships, and postage. She also noted that the proposed book budget of $5,000 was down from $5,800 in prior years, arguing that library staff have expanded programming and services and should be better supported.
A second letter, written by a retired library administrator with 30 years of experience in Wisconsin, questioned why the proposed budget included “a 50%+ increase in salary for the new city manager and an 86%+ increase for the city secretary, while the library will lose a half-time position.” She emphasized the importance of retaining qualified library staff, noting that “volunteers support the work that the library does, but they are not responsible for planning and implementing programs or public service.”
A third resident raised similar transparency concerns, writing that “this budget was done in a closed session with no input from the citizens” and encouraging residents to examine the proposal closely.
Collectively, the letters reflect a growing unease among some residents that the town’s priorities are shifting away from community services in favor of administrative costs. Several writers questioned whether steep raises for city leadership contrasted unfairly with what they perceive as reduced support for the library — a resource they describe as central to education, family life, and civic identity in Laguna Vista. Concerns also extended to transparency, with residents urging city officials to allow more public input and questioning why the budget process has not included an open forum.
In a letter obtained by the PRESS, Laguna Vista’s Mayor, Michael Carter, responded in writing to the first letter, clarifying the salary figures and addressing the perception of cuts.
According to the mayor, the $21,424 line item reflects the officially approved 2024-2025 budget for the library clerk position. He said the clerk’s current salary of $32,740 was the result of an unapproved action by a former acting city manager, who reclassified the position as Assistant Library Director without council approval. In the final version of the 2025-2026 budget, the Town Council retained the employee in a split role — part-time library clerk and part-time city clerk — at the $32,740 salary, which the mayor described as “65% greater than the official budgeted salary of $21,424.”
“The Library Clerk’s salary was not decreased; in fact, it continues to be 65% greater than the official budgeted salary,” Mayor Carter wrote.
As for other cuts, the mayor said adjustments were part of the “budget negotiation process with each department head,” where departments submit initial requests and final numbers reflect available funds.
The mayor also acknowledged past confusion regarding the library’s book budget, stating that a former city manager had diverted $5,000 in funds in 2024-2025, but that the matter cannot be explained further since that official is no longer with the city.
Regarding compensation, the mayor said the 2025-2026 budget includes a 3% wage increase for all city employees but no additional raises.
The mayor emphasized optimism about the library’s future, noting that the new City Manager, Victor Treviño, will meet with the Library Board and Friends of the Library “to discuss the operational status of the library” and collaborate on improvements.
“I am optimistic and excited about the immediate future of our beautiful library and the rest of our Town,” the mayor said.
The Town Council approved the proposed budget on August 25, 2025, and staff are finalizing the official version. Once complete, the final budget will be posted online and available at City Hall, according to the mayor.
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