City Councilors Mandy Lounibos, left, Whitney Warstler and City Manager Mary Babcock discuss funding options for the Hancock School Public Library. (Chelsea Bossert/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — Hancock City Council met Wednesday evening in an overflowing council chamber, packed to the brim with concerned residents, families and supporters of the Hancock School Public Library. Discussion of last item in the meeting ended with applause from on-lookers, after the council pledged up to $25,000 to sustain current library services.

Four supporters of the library spoke up during the public comment period.

After approving other budgetary items including payments, grants and appointments, the council dived into the discussion about aiding the library. City Manager Mary Babcock said a millage with the entire school district is not possible under the library’s current model, but assured those present the library will still be open, but may run differently.

Mayor Kurt Rickard said city taxes are not intended to keep the library open under its current model. Councilor Whitney Warstler disagreed; she said it is not unusual for a municipality to fund a library.

Councilor Dean Woodbeck — who along with Warstler has spearheaded the issue — agreed with his colleague. He said $15,000 would not harm the city’s budget if handled properly and thinks the city council can afford to spend it. Woodbeck then upped the ante and proposed an amendment to the motion, changing the funding to $25,000. Warstler supported the motion and Councilor Laura Givens supported it.

According to the agenda, the original language of the item regarding the library proposed the city give $15,000 to Hancock School Public Library Electronic Services — supplementing only specific services.

Council members discussed the language further. At one point, Woodbeck argued in favor of funding being contingent on Hancock Public Schools renewing its contract with Portage Lake District Library — who staffs and runs the Hancock Library.

Councilor Lisa McKenzie said the contract the city would make with HPS would put the library at risk if it was contingent on signing a contract with PLDL. Woodbeck agreed and made a motion to strike the amended language, instead opting to plainly enter into contract with HPS pledge $25,000 to the Hancock Library.

The council unanimously passed its final amended motion to fund the library. It entered a closed session following the second public comment period, with Rickard citing personnel concerns.