Jamestown and Stutsman County Begin Drafting New Library Service Agreement

The James River Valley Library System is moving toward a fresh memorandum of agreement that would govern joint library services between the city of Jamestown and Stutsman County. Co chairs of the system board authorized City Administrator Sarah Hellekson and County Auditor and chief operating officer Jessica Alonge to prepare a draft, which could be presented to the Jamestown City Council and the Stutsman County Commission for review before January first.

The effort follows Jamestown filing a two year notice of intent to withdraw from the current memorandum in October 2024, with that withdrawal set to take effect on February 28, 2027. Board leaders say they want a new agreement in place to clarify funding shares, operational responsibilities and service continuity while both governments negotiate the long term framework for the system.

Funding has been a central issue. Elected leaders and library officials have continued discussions about how to allocate costs between the city and county, particularly after a recent increase in the mill levy for the library system. That levy change affects property tax contributions and will shape budgets for staffing, collections and programming. The new draft agreement is intended to reflect current budget realities and provide a more stable basis for library operations across the county.

Beyond governance and financing, the board and staff are advancing marketing and outreach initiatives to increase patron engagement. Plans include a library app designed to simplify access to catalogs, digital resources and event information. Officials say the outreach push aims to broaden participation from younger users while maintaining services that are critical for seniors and rural residents who depend on in person access.

Local residents should expect the drafting process to include a legal review. Once the draft agreement is complete it will be reviewed by the library attorney before any formal consideration by the council or commission. That step is intended to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and to protect the interests of both municipal and county taxpayers.

For Stutsman County, the negotiations carry tangible consequences. A clear agreement could preserve coordinated programming, maintain branch hours and secure funding for summer reading, technology access and community partnerships. Conversely, unresolved differences over funding or governance could lead to service disruptions or a reshaping of how library services are delivered across urban and rural parts of the county.

The negotiation process reflects a familiar challenge in local government across the United States and in many other countries, where cities and counties balance shared services with fiscal responsibility. Residents will have opportunities to follow the draft as it is prepared and to bring concerns to their elected representatives when the agreement is presented for review.