Debbie Weiner, founder of the Triangle Community Alliance, told the City Commission on Sept. 18 that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) currently enrolls 1,270 children in Lake County and that Eustis could enroll children living in funded ZIP codes and receive monthly books mailed to children from birth to age 5.

Weiner said the Dollywood Foundation covers many operating costs but the local community partner pays per‑child mailing and packaging costs — about $36 per child for a year — and recommended starting with an assumed 65% participation rate of children under 5 in a funded ZIP code. She said the 2020 census shows 1,794 children in Eustis under age 5, which at 65% yields an initial projection of about 1,166 children and an estimated first‑year cost of roughly $12,564 at $36 per enrolled child.

The pitch was aimed at gaining city support either via direct funding, partnership with the county or library, or assistance with volunteer outreach. Weiner said Mount Dora previously provided a $10,000 grant to fund 300 children and Tavares contributed $500 over two years; she said some local fundraising has supported enrollment increases from 1,055 to 1,270 children since her last presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners stressed that any city funds should primarily benefit Eustis residents and asked staff and Weiner to clarify how many eligible children actually live inside the municipal boundaries versus in unincorporated areas that share Eustis mailing addresses.

Commission response and next steps

Vice Mayor Ashcraft, Commissioner Emily Lee and others asked Weiner to produce a breakdown showing how many enrolled or eligible children live within Eustis municipal limits (rather than in unincorporated parts of the ZIP codes). Weiner said she used census ZIP‑level counts and did not separate incorporated vs. unincorporated addresses, and agreed to gather more precise figures.

County Commissioner Kirby Smith, who attended, said he has personally donated to the program and encouraged local governments and businesses to support it. He said Lake County is pursuing recurring funding through other partners and that the county’s early learning coalition is working on larger grants to support the program.

No formal city vote or funding commitment was made. Commissioners signaled general support for exploring a measured, sustainable approach — for example a multiyear or pilot commitment rather than a one‑year promise the city could not sustain. Several commissioners said they would consider personal donations and asked staff to return with a funding proposal that (1) specifies the number of eligible Eustis residents, (2) provides a five‑year cost projection and (3) outlines options to partner with Lake County library services, local nonprofits or corporate sponsors.

Quotes

"The Imagination Library serves children regardless of race, religion or economic status," Weiner said. "If you fund it at the level I requested, you would begin with the children in the funded ZIP codes and we could grow from there."

County Commissioner Kirby Smith said: "I personally gave money to the program. It doesn't matter where the child lives — the goal is to get books to kids who need them."

Ending

Commissioners asked Weiner and staff to provide a follow‑up packet with: a municipal‑level count of eligible children, a range of funding scenarios (including a one‑year pilot and five‑year projection), and options for library or nonprofit partnerships. No appropriation was approved at the meeting.