MEEKER | The Meeker Public Library Board held a special meeting last Tuesday to address bonds and mill levies. Attending members included John Moffitt, Dan Olson, Keri Grieser, and Board President Meredith Deming. Board member Michael Cobb also attended, arriving late after the roll was taken.
The meeting opened with a public comment period, where several community members expressed concerns about proposed mill levy changes.
Community member Sandra Besseghini voiced confusion about the board’s suggestion to lower the mill levy to .1 mill, which she said would generate $50,387 and create a $460,894 shortfall.
“It would leave a shortfall of $460,894,” Besseghini said.
She questioned whether the board intended to address the deficit by using reserved funds. Besseghini calculated that even keeping the mill levy at 1 mill would leave an $8,050 shortfall.
“It would generate $503,171, subtracted from your budget at $511,211, leaving a shortfall of $8,050. If you instead use 1.016 mills, as you currently have, it would leave you $8 over budget,” she said.
The board is currently working with Colorado CPA to analyze the mill levy options. Community member Toby Leavitt asked if the board had consulted with CPA Marlo Coates, Leavitt was very concerned about lowering the levy.
“I hope you consider keeping it the same and not lowering it. I think that would be a mistake,” Leavitt said.
Community member Pat Daggett also weighed in, encouraging the board to maintain the current levy of 1.016 mills.
“The mill levy disbursement is the only funding that cannot be completely deleted unless the county can no longer collect taxes,” stated Daggett. She highlighted the mill levy as a critical and stable funding source for the library, citing potential uses such as expanding programs, remodeling children’s areas, and staffing.
“You can use it for community enhancement, expanding programs, and keeping our school libraries open,” Daggett said.
Ann Franklin, a part-time employee at Meeker Public Library, expressed excitement over the community’s engagement and interest in the library.
“As an employee here it’s so exciting we have a tremendous opportunity in this room. We have a variety of viewpoints, but we also have a think tank here that has amazing ideas,” stated Franklin.
She emphasized the opportunities the library could explore with the collective support that it has from the community, such as the empty basement at the library and the courtyard. Franklin explained that the library has employees who absolutely love the library, or they wouldn’t be there.
“We believe in it and I think we have an opportunity here to do something amazing. There is a saying and I think we’d all agree no matter where you are coming from, that ‘Meeker is Uniquer.’ Why do we have all these amazing facilities here and what can we do with them? The employees are ready. Let’s think big and use our resources and do it. I look forward to it,” Franklin said.
Following public comments, Library Director Kristina Selby provided updates, including the launch of the Kid Librarian Program which will begin in January.
The board then deliberated on mill levy options, with a proposal to maintain last year’s rate of 1.016 mills. Board members Moffit, Cobb, and Olson supported reducing the levy to 0.1 mills.
“As a taxpayer, I think we have a responsibility to reduce taxes where possible,” Moffitt said, citing the $14 million in reserve funds.
Cobb agreed with Moffitt stating, “I say we go to .1. We consider it a holiday, we make more decisions. I love the idea of thinking big with any figures. I think God can do anything with anything so if something like next year is better than the other year I still say we stick to .1. I did not hear that much discussion against it when we were all chatting so that’s my recommendation,” Cobb stated.
Olson added, “It’s not going to harm the facility or resources and give back to the community. That is how I view this fiscal responsibility,” Olson said.
Deming and Grieser, however, advocated maintaining the 1.016 mill rate, citing the need for a clear plan before any reductions are made.
Ultimately, the board voted 3-2 in favor of lowering the levy to 0.1 mills, against the CPA’s recommendation to keep it at 1.016 mills. The meeting adjourned without further sessions scheduled for December. There will be a work session next month which is set for Jan. 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
By JARED HENDERSON
What really happened is John Moffitt gave himself a tax break and put the future of the library in jeopardy. The other two voted admitting that it didn’t affect them directly but didn’t even consider how it would affect the future of the library budget or any long term consequences. Not one word was spoken about how hard it is to raise the levy back up to previous levels. I’m worried that those 3 men are going to ruin our wonderful library.
They had been warned off lowering the levy more than once by concerned citizens and a CPA. I almost seems like there was a deal struck behind closed doors before the board meeting.