Board Minutes

HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
September 26, 2007

HLC Governing Board members present: DeSoto—Ann Ryals, Paul Erickson, Felton Garner; Hardee—Gloria Davis, Gordon Norris; Highlands—Perry Newport; Okeechobee—Robbie Chartier. Not present: Elinor J. Batey, Marion Davis, Elvie Posey, C. Guy Maxcy, Jeanne Renton; Library Directors present: Elizabeth Kenney, Kresta King, Patti Lang, Mary Myers. Others present: Bill Benton, Michael Pate

Chairman Paul 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 requested an addition to the agenda. Gordon Norris moved approval of the agenda with the revision, seconded by Treasurer Robbie Chartier and approval was passed by voice vote. Robbie Chartier moved the approval of the written minutes, Ann Ryals seconded the motion, and approval was passed by voice vote.

Coordinator Mary Myers offered her report. The discussion focused on circulation statistics over the last 12 months. Myers also introduced Kresta King as the new Director of the Okeechobee County Public Library, Patti Lang as the new Director of the Hardee County Public Library, and Maria Chenique as the new Lake Placid Memorial Library Librarian. Chartier moved approval of the Coordinator’s report, Norris seconded, and approval was passed by voice vote.

Bill Benton of the NCT Group presented an engagement letter in the amount of $7,500, a $300 increase from the previous year. Perry Newport asked a question regarding any changes in scope of the audit function and was told that none would be made outside of ordinary industry practices. Newport moved to accept the letter, Chartier seconded, and approval was passed by voice vote.

The next agenda item was the 2007-2008 budget. In Personnel matters, the position of Technology Trainer is now vacant and there are no plans to fill the position in the future. Remaining personnel will get a 4% raise in conjunction with Highlands County Board of County Commissioners practice. Erate discounts will reduce the monthly telecommunications charge from over $3,000 to around $800 a month. As has been the practice, the Cash Carried Forward will be increased again this year, but will not exceed the legal limit of 20 Percent. Reserve Contingency will not exceed 10 Percent. Budget approval was moved by Norris, seconded by Newport, and approved by voice vote.

The Base Grant for State Aid was nearly increased by $100,000 this year in the State Legislature. It is hoped that this will occur next year. The State Aid Application was moved by Chartier, seconded by Ryals, and approved by voice vote.

Three Counties have submitted applications for the State Library Community Libraries in Caring Grant Program. Highlands County has chosen Podcasting and Video Podcasting, Hardee is seeking to expand their Graphic Novel collections, and DeSoto would like to continue their ESOL Computer Aided Learning Program from last year. Approval of the application was moved by Davis, seconded by Garner, and approved by voice vote.

Myers proposed the 1996 Chevrolet Astro Van owned by the Cooperative be declared surplus. The van is no longer actively used and has developed service-related issues after more than a decade of heavy use. Newport moved to begin the surplus process, Chartier seconded, and approved by voice vote. Myers was also directed to ask Board Attorney Bert Harris to write a letter asking Highlands County for any funds (estimated to be several thousand dollars) generated from previous sales of surplus items that had not been returned to the Cooperative. Chartier moved to approve this, Ryals seconded, and approval was given by voice vote.

The NEXT MEETING of the board was set for WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, at Lake Placid Memorial Library at 10 a.m. The board was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Hesselink

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