HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

October 18, 2006

HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto--Felton Garner, Paul Erickson; Hardee--Elinor Batey; Highlands--Jeanne Renton, C. Guy Maxcy; Okeechobee--Robbie Chartier, Elvie Posey, Marion Davis. Librarians and guests: E. M. Kenney, Diane Hunt, Margo Taylor, Mary Myers, Highlands H.R. Director Freddie Carino, Asst. Highlands Co. Library System Director Michael Pate, Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool.

Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. with Felton Garner leading in the invocation and the pledge following. The secretary read notice of public meeting. Mrs. Myers, covering the subject of by-laws, requested an addition to the agenda. Comm. Posey moved approval of the agenda with the revision, seconded by Felton Garner and passed unanimously by voice vote.  Robbie Chartier moved the approval of the written minutes, Elvie Posey seconded the motion, and it passed with a voice vote.

There was no Coordinator's report, however Mrs. Myers did hand out an InterLocal Agreement revision that the chosen committee of Robbie Chartier and Paul Erickson had looked over.

There was much discussion of wording changes made to the document to better explain various provisions, including creating a volunteer position of Treasurer to help with the financial details of the cooperative. Mrs. Myers suggested to the board that Okeechobee County's Assistant County Administrator, Robbie Chartier, would be a good choice. Guy Maxcy moved to create this position, seconded by Elvie Posey, and carried. This gives the cooperative three offices; Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Treasurer.

 Robbie moved the Coordinator develop general purchasing policies similar to our host county, to be ratified at our next meeting, seconded by Jeanne Renton, and carried by unanimous voice vote. Guy Maxcy moved the board accept the By-laws as revised, seconded by Robbie Chartier, and unanimously passed by voice vote. The committee will receive the revised Interlocal Agreement and local attorneys will review it with a goal of accepting the new Agreement by early 2007.

Concerning having an outside vendor do our bookkeeping, Carlos Roman was recommended by our Coordinator and Highlands County Purchasing, having had extensive experience in government accounting. His estimate of expenses was about $6,000 a year.  Robbie Chartier moved and Felton Garner seconded the motion, that Carlos Roman be accepted as our accounting service. This passed by voice vote.

The NEXT MEETING of the board was set for WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, at Lake Placid Memorial Library at 10 a.m.The board was adjourned at 11:58 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,