In 2023, the D.R. Moon Memorial Library launched a capital campaign to fund its expansion and renovation project, with a target of $4.5 million. Nearly a year later, their plans received a significant boost when in October 2024, the Library was awarded a grant from Governor Tony Evers totaling $4,137,056. This will enable construction to begin in spring 2025 and be completed by summer 2026. While this grant brought the Library closer to its goal, additional funding is still needed to fully realize the project. At the February 17th Council meeting, the Stanley City Council approved borrowing $500,000 to fund the D.R. Moon Public Library Expansion and Renovation Project.
Mayor Mike Henke explained that the cty would have three years to repay the loan before it would be added to the tax roll.
“If the whole half a million went on the tax roll it would increase taxes 4.637%. The current tax amount right now is $680,000,” he shared. Henke added that if it still needed to be paid off after three years then payments would need to be made.
“We really don’t have excess money. We’d have to put it on the tax roll,” Henke said. He added, “And the payment would be about $32,000 on a twenty-year note.”
He expressed concern that if they didn’t contribute the funds, the library’s budget could be reduced by $500,000. “The question is, do we want to put a half million in or not?”
Alderperson Mark Fitzsimmons inquired about the status of the Library project, questioning if it was being downsized.
“We are downsizing currently,” Library Director Elizabeth Miniatt confirmed that the project was being scaled back, with reductions in square footage and certain project elements. She emphasized the need for an architect to begin redesigning the building. She added that if necessary, the library would make further reductions.
Library board member James Ericksen shared that the previous plan was to add 8,500 square feet, but the project has now been scaled down by 1,100 square feet.
Fitzsimmons asked, “So the city borrowing part of it would be the city’s expense moving forward? It would not be translated to the library,” as Henke confirmed this.
Alderperson Ben Wald suggested that borrowing the necessary funds responsibly would be the best approach, given that the Library hasn’t been updated in over a century.
He asked, “Would we have an opportunity to do more if we needed to? My personal preference would be to borrow what we need responsibly to get what we want because we don’t know when it’s going to happen again.”
“When we go up to borrow, we really have to borrow the whole project cost and then we get reimbursed,” Henke said and added that the window for this project is “pretty short.”
“Dirt’s got to be moved by the 1st of July,” Henke mentioned that grant administration proposals and qualifications for architectural/engineering services are due by the 20th of February and after interviews, contracts will be awarded at the March 3rd Council meeting.
Fitzsimmons asked Henke if the payment is sustainable for the city.
“My hope is in three years we have the money to pay it off and won’t have to put it on the tax roll,” stated Henke. Henke expressed hope that, within three years, the city would be able to repay the loan without resorting to the tax roll, with the anticipation of new businesses in town, tax base increases, and the expiration of the TIF in six or seven years.
In addition to approving the loan, the council also approved the D.R. Moon Public Library’s Expansion and Renovation Project Budget.
Library Director Miniatt also shared exciting news about new funding for the library. The library received an unexpected grant from the David and Patricia Jankoski Family Endowment Fund through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Miniatt expressed gratitude, explaining that the grant would support the summer program and promote literacy among families.
“The grant was awarded to us without us applying for it, so it was a nice surprise,” said Miniatt. “We are very grateful for the Jankoski Family’s generous support,” she commented.
The library has also applied for a grant from the Stanley Community Endowment Fund to cover additional summer program costs.
Looking ahead, the D.R. Moon Memorial Library plans to open on Saturdays in Fall 2026, following the completion of the new building project.