RANDOLPH — As the town prepares to vote on its public library budget for a third time, the Selectboard has approved an unconventional solution for a Sept. 22 special election.

Instead of voting yes or no on a single budget option, residents will decide on the lower, Selectboard-approved budget and then separately accept or deny an additional $38,000 for the library on top of it.

“It’s a way to truly find out what’s failing,” said Selectboard member Bethany Silloway at the Thursday meeting.

Back in January, the Kimball Library Trustees brought forth a budget of about $529,000 for the fiscal year starting July 1. But the Selectboard felt the proposal, which included a 22% increase, was too high considering other town expenses.

The Selectboard countered with a budget proposal of $458,000, which is 8% higher than last year, with about $370,000 to be raised by taxes. Due to calculation errors, the Trustees encouraged residents to vote against the budget, and they did, 507-451.

Back to the drawing board, the Library Trustees brought forth their original proposal, but the Selectboard decided that $492,000 was more appropriate this time around. The Trustees took no stance on the second rendition, and on June 30 it failed, 471-453.

“I think the budget the Selectboard put in front of the voters was the right thing to do,” Chair Larry Satcowitz said at the meeting.

Now, the town is tasked with bringing a third potential budget to voters in a special election, with the fiscal year already underway.

At the Thursday meeting, Satcowitz pointed out the dilemma that some people voted “No” because they considered the most recent budget too high, while others voted “No” because they considered it too low.

Despite encouragement from Trustees and supporters to put the $529,000 budget up for voters, the Selectboard felt more inclined to offer two options at once, said Satcowitz.

Library Assistant Veola Austin works on a bimonthly newsletter at Kimball Public Library in Randolph, Vt., on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. The Randolph Selectboard was set to discuss a revised budget for the library after the two previous budgets were both voted down this year. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News Credit: Valley News – James M. Patterson

The town will vote on the following two articles on a single ballot next month:

Article 1: “Shall the town voters authorize the total expenditure of $491,024 for Kimball Public Library expenses, of which $401,956 shall be raised by taxes, and estimated $89,068 shall be raised from non-tax revenues?”

Article 2: “If Article 1 is approved, shall the town voters authorize an additional expenditure of $38,116 for Kimball Public Library expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, thereby increasing the total authorized expenditure from 491,024 to 529,140, of which $38,116 shall be raised by taxes and $0 shall be derived from non-tax revenues?”

Specifically, what the board decided to do is put forth a lower budget for approval, while still giving voters the chance to decide separately if they want to grant the library the amount originally requested.

As a result, the Selectboard included a second question asking if voters want to add the difference between the number the Selectboard chose and what the Trustees requested.

If both articles pass, the library will have its long-sought-after budget of $529,000. If only Article 1 passes, they have to make do with the amount the Selectboard proposed instead. If neither article passes, the town is back to square one.

There’s a timeliness to passing the budget, as September approval would allow the town to send out correct tax bills that fall, said Satcowitz.

The Thursday meeting showed mixed support for this solution and both budgets. Kimball Library Director Amy Grasmick shared that 248 people signed a petition in a matter of days to put the larger, Trustee-approved budget on the ballot.

Kimball Library Director Amy Grasmick, left, and her life partner Cliff Rankin, right, walk from the library to the Randolph, Vt., Selectboard meeting during which the board planned to discuss the library budget, on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Rankin is the chair of the capital campaign raising money for the restoration of the building’s cupola, for which Grasmick said she signed a contract with Crocker Architectural earlier that day. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News Credit: Valley News – James M. Patterson

In a public comment, Kitt Langdell expressed concerns over the split questions not giving the Trustees’ budget an equal chance as others, even though it has received strong support by residents.

Sally Penrod, another resident, also commented that the wording will confuse voters.

Michael Murawski shared that while he has voted in favor of the library budget for 20 years, the requested amount is not appropriate considering some people in town are already struggling to pay their tax bills.

“We’re hurting so many people the library is intending to serve,” said Murawski.

He also said that the Selectboard is entrusted to put forth a reasonable budget, and by including the additional money as an option on the ballot, they’re essentially endorsing it.

“Why put it if you don’t agree with it?” Murawski said.

Langdell, however, argued that it’s the Selectboard’s duty to follow the will of the town, and let the public decide for themselves.

Satcowitz explained that Randolph is in an unusual situation, and that he feels comfortable letting voters make the call at this point.

The special election to determine the Kimball Library budget is set for Sept. 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Randolph Town Hall, 7 Summer Street. An informational meeting will take place at 4 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the same location.