===== Holistic System Audit: The Cost of Centralized Control =====

A comprehensive review of official Board packets and Director's Reports from late 2025 reveals a system prioritized for centralized administration while experiencing a measurable decline in community engagement.

==== 1. The Service Reach Crisis: Contract City Exits ====
The most significant indicator of systemic failure is the erosion of the library’s geographic footprint.
  * [cite_start]**The Tieton Disconnection:** The City of Tieton has officially opted out of renewing its service contract for 2026, passing a resolution to reimburse for services rather than maintain a full partnership[cite: 1, 3, 4].
  * [cite_start]**Precarious Renewals:** While Granger, Mabton, and Naches renewed, they did so under a "three-year phased approach," signaling a lack of long-term confidence in the current service model[cite: 3, 4].
  * [cite_start]**Leadership Absence:** The Executive Director was noted as absent from the critical November Budget Public Hearing where these contract losses were finalized[cite: 4].

==== 2. The Performance-Investment Paradox ====
While management scrutinizes individual staff performance, the organization's broader performance indicators show a consistent downward trend.
  * [cite_start]**Attendance Deficit:** Total attendance for the library system was **17.7% below the Fiscal Year-to-Date (FYTD) goal** as of October 2025[cite: 1].
  * [cite_start]**Programming Misses:** In September, programming attendance was **21.6% below the FYTD goal**, reflecting a struggle to connect with the community through scheduled events[cite: 3].
  * [cite_start]**Digital Access Decline:** Digital access hours were **6.9% below the FYTD goal**, showing that even remote engagement is struggling under current strategies[cite: 1].

==== 3. Strategic Resource Allocation: Surveillance over Service ====
The 2026 budget priorities demonstrate a shift toward internal control and infrastructure rather than expanding public service.
  * [cite_start]**Capital Focus:** A primary capital request for 2026 is **$20,000 for camera replacements**, justified by the fact that existing cameras are over a decade old[cite: 2, 4].
  * [cite_start]**Stalled Facilities Development:** Beyond essential maintenance like LED lighting and security, the budget shows "little activity" in capital projects for branch enhancement[cite: 4].
  * [cite_start]**Carry Forward Surplus:** There is approximately **$1.22 million in carry-forward funds** for the Yakima Central Library (YCL), indicating that the library has significant resources it is choosing not to deploy for immediate service improvements[cite: 2, 4].