HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-20 - Minutes -Fayetteville Fa Mountain St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Public Library quest6.7000
uestions@faylib.org
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Board of Trustees
September 20, 2024 2 pm
MINUTES
Walker Room
Board: S. Overbey, S. Rodgers, B. Park, B. Bryan, C. Davis
Board Absent: R. Qualls, A. Wilbourn
Staff: D. Johnson, S. Palmer, T. Ball, C. Moody, C. Karnatz, J. Askins, J. Tuller, K. Lehman, H.
Robideaux, C. Dennis, K. Bailey, S. Edwards, S. Herrera, L. Frieden, C. Williams, J. Curry, J. Bunch,
L. Husband, S. Raines, J. Smith, B. Lee, A. Easley, M. Hurley, S. Allison, D. Grundl, E. Edrington, R.
Canales-Ochoa, D. Wright, V. McMullen, A. Gutche, J. Settje, C. Boland, T. Ogle, A. Taylor
Public: N. Linn, M. Rice, M. Taylor, M. Scharfenberg, N. Smith, A. Jones, B. Hollender
Our mission is to strengthen our community and empower our citizens through free and public
access to knowledge.
I. Call to order: S. Overbey called the meeting to order at 2:01 pm
II. Roll call
III. Minutes - Approval of minutes from August 19, 2024: B. Barry moved to accept the
minutes from August 19, 2024. S. Rodgers seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
IV. New business
A. Report of the Finance Committee from September 19, 2024: S. Rodgers,
representing the Finance Committee, reported on the meeting from 9.19.24. The
budget is preliminary, so some of the numbers will change. Primary revenue
comes from city property tax. The projected 2025 budget has decreased, due to
grants that finish in 2024. Expenditures for food services, events and library
operations show that food services do not sustain itself; events continue to
perform well. 60% of library operation is spent on personnel. Personnel
expenses trend in tandem with the library operations revenue over the years
since 2016. Operating budgets for various departments are estimated to
decrease next year. IT Services will increase in 2025 due to scheduled phone and
software upgrades. There is a plan to gradually increase the adjustment of staff
salaries, and this revenue. To reach full adjustment to market, the library needs
$912,262. The library continues to pay lease payments towards the expansion
loan. This can be a starting place to help with staff compensation. D. Johnson
reported that he asked Directors as an academic exercise to cut 10% of their
budget; all of them directly impacted staff or patrons. S. Overbey asked about
other strategies to raise money for the library. D. Johnson reported that they
Fayetteville
Public Library
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Fayetteville. AR 72701
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were exploring possibilities in leasing the land beyond the south lot. S. Rodgers
said that because there is less than two years before the goal to meet the
market salary adjustment, the library believes a good land lease will get the
building out of debt.
V. Discussion
A. Amend Closed Days schedule: This would grant an additional holiday, December
26, to the schedule beginning in 2024. C. Davis motioned to approve the amended
Closed Days schedule. B. Park seconded the motion. All voted AYE.
VI. Public Comment: N. Linn expressed frustration with the Board's inability to talk to each
other outside of official meetings, Arsaga's lack of a radio, and safety during FPL+ hours.
N. Smith lamented that staff salaries were not better due to funding in other areas of
the budget.
L. Husband asked when the Board would decide that the Deli was no longer sustainable.
J. Curry mentioned that conferences could be cut from the library budget before
programming.
M. Rice said that in public input sessions before the expansion, the public wanted an Art
& Movement Room, Center for Innovation, Deli, and other spaces.
Adjournment: B. Park moved to adjourn the meeting. S. Rodgers seconded the motion. The
meeting adjourned at 2:41 pm.
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