MEEKER | The Meeker Public Library Board held its regular monthly meeting last week, with all trustees present. The board approved the agenda before opening the floor for public comment.
Barone Middle School teacher Kris Casey outlined the school’s ongoing collaboration with the library, noting that seventh- and eighth-grade students have visited monthly since August to obtain library cards, tour resources, check out materials and learn research tools, including accessing online newspapers for History Day projects. She said the partnership has helped revive reading interest among some students.
Community member Jeni Morlan opened her comments by praising the library’s online presence. “I appreciate the library’s website. It’s actually the best governmental website I’ve ever used,” she said.
Morlan said she supports reserving levy funds for capital needs rather than operations. “I also want to give kudos to Keri’s [Grieser] idea to use no levy funds for the operating budget and reserves for discretionary capital items,” she said, but added, “I would suggest that repairs and maintenance are not discretionary, but are an operational item… it’s as necessary to maintain the building as it is to pay utilities or the CPA.”
She also questioned the lack of detail behind the capital budget. “You show a capital budget of $250,000 but no mention of specific plans. For transparency, even a rough idea of the purpose of that expenditure should be stated.”
Morlan said her remarks were intended “In the spirit of improving the efficiency and professional relief of this board and to reduce public dissatisfaction.”
She then listed concerns she believes should guide the appointment of a new trustee, including:
“Board members who come to meetings unprepared and uninformed, wasting the time of the group.”
“Board members who publicly brag over accomplishments they had very little to do with.”
Praise for a current trustee: “Frankly, we need more Toby Levitt and fewer all-talk, inaction people.”
A warning about “board members who are so focused on their ideology, they ignore the actual work and cooperation needed to get things done.”
And concerns with “board members who angrily lash out at other board members and the public.”
Morlan concluded, “These are the types of people you get when religious beliefs are the sole factor in choosing board members. Our library is vital to our entire community. Please don’t continue this trend of short sightedness.”
School librarian Amber Garcia reported active student use of the library and said students are encouraged to check out any materials that interest them. When teachers bring classes in for writing assignments, she said staff assist students in finding appropriate titles. Garcia also described Veterans Day programming, including flag etiquette lessons and classroom readings, and noted she is following up on overdue books.
Library Director Kristina Selby highlighted new and expanding services. She announced that the library’s 2025 record reports are now available online and described new programs, including a “Close Knit” knitting and crochet group and a short-story book club called “Short Stories and Snacks.”
Selby highlighted expanded digital access, including NewsBank — which provides access to the Herald Times and dozens of magazines — and an upcoming Washington Post subscription. She also noted the library received a one-year Spanish streaming service subscription through a statewide consortium.
New “memory kits,” designed for caregivers and people experiencing dementia, are now available for checkout. Selby said the library will launch a monthly virtual author series in January through the Library Speakers Consortium, with both in-library and at-home viewing options.
She also reported progress on the employee handbook and behavior standards, as well as updates on ongoing radon mitigation work. Trustee applications have been submitted to the county, and Selby continues coordinating with local government partners on the intergovernmental agreement (IGA).
Mike and Amber Herrick of Patriot Heating and Cooling briefed the board on aging rooftop HVAC units. Mike Herrick said the units are older and that ductwork, particularly in the rear of the building, contributes to summer cooling challenges.
He outlined three possible improvement paths: replacing rooftop units “like for like,” replacing units while modifying ductwork, or adding mini-splits for independent climate zones. Estimated project costs ranged from $40,000 to $93,000 depending on the scope. Herrick encouraged a walkthrough to provide a specific bid, and trustees asked staff to schedule the site visit.
Attorney Glory Schmidt reported on progress and setbacks with the IGA between the town, county and library, noting that the town approved a modified draft but removed a trustee-removal provision. The county tabled the agreement and requested a joint meeting with the library board.
Schmidt also addressed public questions about changing from an appointed board to an elected one. She said the district was established with appointed trustees and that moving to elections “Would be very interesting but it would definitely require an IGA between the county and town and library as just the first step in that process.”
Schmidt and CPA Paul Wilson reviewed new state legislation affecting property tax revenue caps, noting that interpretations vary and could affect future flexibility. Schmidt recommended a conservative approach.
Trustee Dan Olson raised concerns about recent public comment sessions. He said some remarks had become “directed at individuals on the board” and “to some extent slanderous.” He added, “If we can’t communicate in an appropriate way, then why should we expect that the community do that?” Olson asked the board to revisit its public comment policy at the next meeting.
The board also discussed requests for improved exterior lighting and expanded holiday displays. Selby said staff typically place seasonal materials in the children’s room but will explore broader options.
That evening the board voted to adopt a 0.5 mill levy for 2026 and an operating budget of $737,193.
Wilson explained that budget amendments can be made as needed. “You can amend it anytime during the year,” he said, noting that amendments are sometimes applied retroactively.
He told the board that adjusting the levy “would change your total revenue to $622,003.37,” with operating expenditures adjusting accordingly.
Board President John Moffitt supported the recommendation. “I like the point five, and I like the idea of just submitting the operational budget and then figuring out the HVAC as we go,” he said.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10 at the Meeker Public Library.