April 22, 2010
Teton County Library Board Meeting Minutes
April 22, 2010
Attending the meeting were board members Lisa Delaney, Anne Ladd, Clark Heindl and Patricia Mueller via the phone. Also attending were Andy Schwartz, County Commission, Director Deb Adams and staff Dail Barbour. Reid Carlson was a guest.
President Delaney called the meeting to order.
Correspondence from the Public: None
Approval of Minutes: Anne moved to approve the minutes from March 11 and March 18, 2010, Clark seconded, all voted in favor.
Section 215 Report: None
Friends Report: Deb reminded the board that the Book Sale is next month, May 13-16 and an amazing number of books have been donated for the sale.
Foundation Report: None
Financials
Monthly Report-Questions and Answers
Deb informed the board that delinquent property taxes are not coming in at the rate we had hoped. We will not get what we estimated which was about $98,000.00. The good news is that our health insurance went down this year which helped the bottom line.
Approve Vouchers: Anne moved to approve the vouchers, Clark seconded, all voted in favor.
Librarian’s Report
Budget Discussions Update
The discussion among the Commissioners seems to indicate that the budget cuts will be somewhere between 10% & 20%. They are still discussing the budget and nothing has been finalized yet. Reductions will be different for different departments as some have more flexible line items than others. The Commissioners are also talking about the benefit package, possibly trying to equalize these benefits more than at present. The board asked about what effect the health reform legislation is going to have on our health benefits. Andy said the Commission doesn’t know yet. Anne asked Andy if the Commissioners were anticipating that next year’s budget will be as tight as this year’s? Andy said the Commission thinks that there will be further loss of property tax revenues next year. The County Commission can raise the mill rate although that is not as likely in an election year. Deb reminded the board that a library committee is taking at look at current and possibly new library fees. The board also inquired about more use of volunteers. Deb shared that this is something of a challenge as there are certain things that they are not able to do. They can help us in areas like shelf reading and shelving. Some increases would probably be a wash or actually cost us money depending on the amount of administration needed for the proposed change.
Denison Survey Start-Up
Staff is working on filling it out by May 2. This will give us an opportunity to see how we have progressed in different areas of the organization.
Facilities
Main Library Addition: Update on SPET ballot process
Deb shared the following proposed draft language for the ballot with the board: “$8,450,000 for the funding of the design, planning, engineering, construction, equipping, collections, and furnishing of an 11,000 square foot addition to and improvements to the current county library located at 125 Virginian Lane. The improvements to the current library structure shall include upgraded and energy efficient building systems, and improved parking/entryway and landscaping. To the extent necessary and allowed by law, the pledge of payment of debt service and/or lease payments thereon the project. The project is sponsored by Teton County.” She needs to get this language to Keith today. Andy thinks the operating and maintenance provision will not go on this ballot but may be included in the future.
Alta Library: Landscaping Plan
Dail informed the board that she and Gretchen are planning to hold a community meeting to get ideas and some help with the Alta landscaping. The library is coordinating with Park and Rec as they will be maintaining it. The idea is to keep it simple and easy to care for. Alta community members are also helping to get the library in the Tin Cup Challenge again this summer to raise some money for the irrigation system and the plant materials.
New Business
Set Library Board Meeting Dates
The board agreed to hold the May meeting at 3:15 PM on Thursday, May 20 and the June board meeting at 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 17.
Board Members’ Terms
The board held a short discussion about the need for new board members. Anne’s and Patricia’s terms end on July 1, 2010 and Anne has served the maximum consecutive terms allowed. Patricia expressed interest in running again and the board agreed to make some contacts with people who might be interested. The county has not advertised the positions available yet but will sometime in May.
Recommendation to List Bookmobile for Sale
Dail asked Andy about the best way to deal with the bookmobile as it is a unique piece of equipment and doesn’t exactly mesh with the county disposal policy. She would like to offer it at the library equipment sale in May with a minimum amount to start the bid. If this doesn’t work, she would like permission to list it with the bookmobile company from which we bought it. Andy suggested she send an email to the Commissioners and ask permission for these departures from the disposal policies.
Anne moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 5:15 PM, Clark seconded, all voted in favor
