County pulls $1.9 million earmark for C-Falls library

The Flathead County Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 6 to remove a $1.9 million earmark for a new Columbia Falls branch library from the county’s proposed five-year capital improvement plan.

The money was originally intended to be used in fiscal year 2017 for remodeling and other work at Glacier Discovery Square as the branch library was moved there from City Hall. Discovery Square is owned by the nonprofit First Best Place organization.

“I don’t believe the county at this time can take on a project like that,” commissioner Pam Holmquist said. “Right now the county should stick with the buildings they have.”

Holmquist said the county shouldn’t be buying property and maintaining it “with the hope that sometime down the road someone will do something with it.” She also noted that a 2011 survey showed only 18 percent of the respondents favored moving the library out of City Hall.

Commissioner Dale Lauman said he’s concerned that after three to four years, “nothing has materialized” on the library proposal.

“Are we stepping into something that may grow beyond our intentions?” he asked.

Commissioner Cal Scott, who attended a joint work session with the library foundation and a transition committee in July, said he had questions about the cost, building inspections and other issues.

Flathead County library director Kim Crowley said she was baffled by the decision.

“I was shocked and don’t understand them pulling a new library for Columbia Falls from the plan for capital improvements,” she said.