Sangamon Sun

Rochester Public Library District Board of Trustees met March 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Trustees present: President Matt Fuller, Vice President Diana Kerr-Herrmann, Treasurer David Hicks, Secretary Elaine Honomichl-Lewis, Trustee Fred Roese, Trustee Sarah Deen, Trustee Jessica Ingold

Visitors: None

Library Staff: Director Janet McAllister

Public Comment: None

New Business:

A. President Fuller spoke to another bond underwriter, BMO Harris from Chicago. They will be forwarding information to President Fuller in order for the Library Board to review.

B. Referendum Questions; should there be one or two? The Library Board discussed the options for both and determined that one question was preferred and would be easier for voters to understand. A motion by Treasurer Hicks with a second by Trustee Ingold for one question on the referendum and was approved by President Fuller, Trustee Roese, Trustee Ingold, Trustee Deen, Vice President Kerr-Herrmann and Secretary Honomichl Lewis, Treasurer Hicks.

C. An operational budget was reviewed and will be included in the referendum. The operational budget would include increase cost in utilities, opening the library one hour earlier, open on Sundays, increase in wages in order to retain and attract qualified library staff. The proposed expansion would cost approximately $3.2 million and would double library space. To cover the costs of the expansion and the increase in operational costs, the proposed levy increase would be 0.215 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed property value. The amount was reviewed and approved with a motion by Treasurer Hicks, a second by Vice President Kerr-Herrmann and approved by Trustee Roese, Secretary Honomichl-Lewis, Vice-President Kerr-Herrmann, President Fuller, Trustee Deen, Treasurer Hicks, Trustee Ingold.

Other Business:

A. There is a $6000 shortfall from the State of Illinois because the per capita grant funds have not been distributed and it is not certain that the Library will receive the funds this year. Director McAllister. This can possibly be covered by $2000 in the contingency fund as well as $4000 from the book budget.

B. Recognition of library staff members who have been at the library for 10 or more years; it was discussed that staff members should be recognized. A recommendation was made that the Friends organization be approached regarding the recognition and funds to do so.

Next Regular Meeting Date: April 12, 2018 at 6 p.m.

Adjournment: With no additional items to discuss a motion for adjournment at 7:12 p.m. by Trustee Roese with a second by President Fuller and passed by acclamation.

http://www.rochesterlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Specialmeeting_minutes_32218.docx.pdf