Council approved the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library’s 2026 operating budget on Friday, supporting a 6.03 per cent increase driven mainly by personnel and benefit costs tied to provincial policy changes.

The final amount totals $2,575,888.57. Coun. Daniel Brown declared a conflict of interest and left the room before discussion began.

Library Director Greg Elliot told the council the increase is modest but necessary. He said most of the rise comes from benefit impacts affecting part time workers and negotiated increases under the current collective agreement.

“The personnel budget is increasing by 7.58 percent,” Elliot said. “Most of this cost increase is due to changes in provincial policy regarding part-time workers and increases in benefits.”

He added that small increases in mater

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