09/15/2025
$10,000,000+ Library that we don’t know about?
On September 4, 2025, the Aledo City Council was presented with an agenda item to approve the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 (FY25-26) budget. I voted NO, while my fellow councilmembers voted unanimously to approve it.
Why did I vote no?
In my opinion, there are too many unanswered questions about the Aledo Library (formerly East Parker County Library – EPCL).
What steps did I take before voting no?
I took an oath to be fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money. During my campaign, I promised to investigate the library project and provide answers to the public — in short, to be transparent.
Over the past couple of years, I have tried to follow what actions the city was taking regarding the library. This has been difficult — if not impossible — due to a lack of accurate information.
• Even during my campaign, a councilmember questioned me about the new City Hall, and while I patiently and professionally answered all her questions, she refused to reciprocate with answers about the library.
• In a public forum, when asked, she directed me to the then–City Manager.
• After being elected, I asked my fellow councilmembers and then city manager basic questions about the library, and no one had answers.
Request for a Feasibility Study
A week before the FY25-26 budget vote, I reached out to the mayor and asked if he would add an agenda item for a feasibility study on the library. He declined but suggested I bring it forward as a motion. For that, I would need a second, and then a majority vote.
I did call for a motion. After nearly an hour of discussion, I thought I had a second, only for it to be withdrawn. The issue raised was: What exactly would a feasibility study include?
In my opinion, professionals should determine that — not “some IT guy.” In the end, I was told I could direct staff during council comments to draft what a feasibility study might look like. I did exactly that.
Investigating the Library Myself
Several days before the vote, I asked the City Manager for the number of library card holders and what percentage are Aledo residents.
The results didn’t make sense. For context, the library calls cardholders “patrons.”
• Historically: an average of 171 patrons per year.
• This fiscal year: suddenly 498 patrons — a 190% increase.
I want to believe it, but it’s hard. The report also showed:
• 22–25% of patrons are Aledo residents.
• The last audit of patrons was in 2022.
How can we responsibly invest millions long-term without knowing how many patrons there actually are?
Also — if only 22–25% of users are tax paying Aledo residents; how do we justify this expense? (See P1 above)
Financial History of EPCL
On the morning of September 4, 2025, I still didn’t have the financial history of the Aledo Library (formerly EPCL).
So, I reviewed the publicly available IRS 990EZ forms. Over a five-year average, EPCL operated with a budget of around $100,000 per year.
• In FY2022, they received a one-time $100,000 donation from a closing church.
• On average, payroll cost $70,000 per year.
By contrast, the budget presented to Council for FY25-26 was $321,942, with $282,477 (88%) for payroll and benefits:
• $216,908 – Salaries (Full-Time)
• $15,511 – F**A
• $28,174 – Health/Dental/Vision/Disability
• $4,160 – Mission Square 457(b) Retirement
• $14,266 – TMRS Benefits
• $3,458 – Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Total Payroll/Compensation: $282,477
Total Library budget: $321,942
What’s missing from the library budget?
• Building maintenance
• IT services
• Insurance
• Utilities (electric, gas, security, phone)
These appear to be absorbed by City Hall.
The $10,000,000+ Price Tag?
In 2021–2022, Aledo proposed a new 33,220 sq. ft. City Hall for $18.5M (total cost with principal and interest: $38.5M). This was presented to voters with conceptual drawings, town halls, and newspaper ads (see P2, P3, P4 above). The city promised it would be a 100-year building (We would not ask taxpayers for money for space again for 100 years) unfinished “flex space.”
At no time was the library mentioned.
Meanwhile (2017), EPCL had been trying — and failing — to raise private donations:
• $10M goal → reduced to $7.5M → reduced again to $5M.
• Ultimately abandoned due to lack of public interest.
Then, in May 2022, with new city leadership, the City Hall project shrank:
• From 33,220 sq. ft. to 22,858 sq. ft. (see P5 and P6 above)
• No public town halls, discussions, or clear notices.
• Suddenly, the library was added: 4,768 sq. ft. (30% of City Hall).
This is a major change from what taxpayers were told in 2022.
Library supporters argue the space was just “flex space” and therefore free. I disagree.
Cost Breakdown (Library Space)
• Total Loan Package w/ P&I: $38,500,000
• Total Building Sq. Ft.: 22,858
• Cost/Sq. Ft.: $1,684.31 (with P&I) / $809.35 (without P&I)
• Library Size: 4,768 sq. ft.
• 4,768 × $1,684.31 = $8,030,798.84 (with P&I)
• 4,768 × $809.35 = $3,858,955.29 (without P&I)
So, the value of the space alone is ~$8M.
Construction Costs (per FOIA email 2023)
• Original estimate: 3,400 sq. ft. at $352.94/sq. ft. = $1,255,000 (see P7 above)
• Library later expanded to 4,768 sq. ft. = $1,682,823
Estimated Total Library Cost
• $8,030,798.84 (with P&I)
• $1,682,823 (construction/design)
• 321,942 (FY25-26 budget, payroll-heavy)
• maintenance, IT, utilities, insurance
That’s over $10,000,000 — and climbing.
Other Concerns
• Furniture, computers, supplies, books and moving costs? Unknown.
• Talk already exists about moving the library or police into new facilities. At what cost?
• 75–78% of patrons are non-Aledo residents. Why are Aledo taxpayers funding this?
• County’s $22,700 contribution ends this year. Then the cost fully shifts to Aledo taxpayers.
Unanswered Questions
• Why don’t we know the exact number of Aledo cardholders?
• Why did we adopt a failing nonprofit?
• What happens when donors stop giving?
• Who are “Friends of the Library,” and what’s their written plan?
• What’s the library’s charter, mission, and governance?
• Who decides book selection?
• If taxpayers assume all liability, shouldn’t they have control?
• What’s wrong with the current library location?
• Why the expansion from 3,400 sq. ft. to 4,768 sq. ft.?
• Why the 300% payroll increase plus full benefits?
• How can a current councilmember (former EPCL president) vote on a budget that includes the library, when she previously recused herself?
My Conclusion
To me, it looks like the former EPCL is executing their 2017 plan — now on the taxpayers’ dime.
For all that I stated above is why I voted AGAINST the budget on September 4, 2025. This was not an emotional decision; this was a decision based on former promises made to taxpayers and facts.
If we must have a library, leave them where they are at and give the city hall space back to the police department as promised to the taxpayers. This move still saves the library and increases their budget by 300%.
Todd Covington
Aledo City Councilman – Place 2
