Library, ADC present achievements and goals to county

Gibson Memorial Library and Afton Development Corporation both presented funding requests for Union County’s next fiscal year, describing their contributions to the county during Wednesday’s regular meeting.

Library Director Danielle Dickinson Thaden and ADC representative Retta Ripperger spoke with Union County Supervisors on behalf of their respective organizations.

Gibson Memorial Library is requesting $35,000 from the county this year, an increase of $500 from the previous year. The library uses funds from the county to expand services to areas of the county beyond the home base of Creston.

Describing 2025 as a solid year for the library, Dickenson Thaden said the number of checkouts and new library cards grew in the past year. Although she lamented the inability of the library facility to expand beyond the space currently available, Dickenson Thaden said the library is using every inch of the building to serve the public.

A part of this efficient space use is organizing common areas for social gatherings. Dickenson Thaden said these spaces are especially useful for rural visitors and families who can spend longer times at the library when they do visit Creston.

Other programs, such as the summer reading kick-off party and a library checkout home delivery service for those with disabilities, have helped the library engage further with their community. Dickenson Thaden also noted the new library pavilion as a strong development.

Dickenson Thaden said her proudest achievement of the past year was activating the library’s participation with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. For Union County residents with children from ages 0-5, the program delivers a free book to their homes on a monthly basis.

Moving to Afton, the ADC, a community organization which assists the city with community projects, requested $10,000 for the next fiscal year.

The ADC constructed a trail head sign, warning of poisonous plants along the trail along with other history and tidbits. Ripperger celebrated the continued annual trash collection service, organized by volunteers, where residents can have their trash hauled free of charge.

Bike racks, designed like bikes themselves and located at East Union and the Paul and Becky Kelly Park, were also celebrated. The bikes have unique designs pertaining to the school mascots. Ripperger also said the new monthly bingo events held at the Afton Community Center have helped bring the local community together.

Ripperger said the main project the organization wants to complete is building a shelter house and pit toilet on the east side of the Afton Lake. A grain bin which will be used for the main shelter has already been donated to the ADC. They’ve received a bid for dirt and concrete work for the shelter at $6,800. An additional bid for the toilet is yet to come.

Another project is refurbishing Afton’s directional sign, located at the north entrance of town off Highway 34 in front of the Catholic Church. The aging sign is outdated; one direction advertises the now closed Afton Care Center. Replacement will cost $2,000.

Other expenses come from continuing programs. The trash service is expected to cost the ADC $1,500 in the next year, and a gambling license to continue bingo costs $150 semi-annually.

Union County Supervisors will review these and other funding requests over the coming months as they organize a budget for the next fiscal year.

In other Union County news...

Roads Superintendent Al Hysell says the county’s secondary roads department will haul rock earlier than expected this year. Hysell also presented quotes for a new truck with features to assist with roads operations such as plowing snow. Expected life of the vehicle is about three years. The board of supervisors approved a quote for $55,965.

Recorder Katie Carlton presented her quarterly report, presenting revenue figures from October through December 2025. December was a notably strong month for the county, with Carlton saying the month had the highest revenue since she began working with the county in 2012.

After 22 years, Lincoln Township Clerk Jack Bakerink has resigned from his position as clerk and trustee. Randy Miller will move to the clerk position, with new trustee Darren Shawley appointed.