MEEKER | After months of debate and public comment about the library board, a board opening presented an opportunity for multiple citizens to throw their hats in the ring to serve. With board president Meredith Deming, six Meeker residents submitted applications for the open seat. Interviews for those six applicants were held during the Jan. 21, 2025, Meeker Board of Trustees regular meeting.
Applications were received from Kris Casey, Derek Dewey, Lee Overton, Dr. Bob Dorsett, and Toby Leavitt. Town Manager Mandi Etheridge read multiple letters and emails in support of Leavitt, Casey and Dorsett into the record prior to public comment.
“We need an actual library user who’s interested in library procedure. Three of the five [current board members] are representing their own agenda,” said Meeker resident Mike Grady. Other members of the public — who have attended several library board meetings — echoed Grady’s concerns about the status of the library board, the agenda of its members, a notable lack of procedure and understanding of policy and library laws, and the library’s mission.
Trustees asked questions of each applicant, including whether they “would ever consider banning or removing any material from the library or censor patron requests.” All applicants said no. Trustees also asked when each applicant had last been in the library what services they used. Of the five, three had been in the library within the last week to check out or return books, or participate in library-sponsored programs. Asked if individuals should be trusted with the decision to decide what to read, all applicants answered in the affirmative, with two including the caveat that parents are responsible for what their own children are reading.
On the topic of finances and revenue, trustees asked applicants whether they believed the library should sustain its reserves or use those reserve funds to sustain the library. Applicants shared concerns that the current board “has no plan” in place, and that the board needs to focus on meeting the needs of the library without depleting the fund to a place where the library can’t function. The current library board voted three to two to cut the mill levy in December without having a plan in place.
Asked about meeting protocol and procedures, applicants said the board needs to follow the bylaws, participate in a training workshop, and possibly establish a parliamentarian to advise the board.
Applicants were also asked if they would promote legislation to prohibit book banning. All were in agreement that as board members they wouldn’t be on the board to have a political stake or position.
Following the interview process, trustees wrote the name of their chosen applicant to vote, resulting in a tie between Leavitt and Casey. Mayor Travis Adams cast the tie-breaking vote for Leavitt, saying he thinks she has the time to dedicate to the position. The board voted unanimously to appoint Leavitt to the seat.
In other business:
• Public Works Director Tobey Willey said the town pumped 17M gallons of water in December, received the new motor grader, and has had three water leaks in the last 10 days (as of Jan. 21). Willey commended his crew for their work. “It’s a young crew that’s ready to go and I’m really proud of them.”
• Chief of Police Edward Thompson reported 200 calls for service in December, with 17 citations and seven arrests. For the year 2024, there were 41 arrests, 3024 calls for service, 150 citations, 28 written warnings, and seven deployments of the canine unit.
• Community planning department director Carly Thomson said there’s an upcoming planning commission meeting to review ADUs and the land use code, and said land use code updates addressing renewable energy will be reviewed at the Feb. 4 meeting.
• Etheridge reminded trustees of the cricket meeting coming up on Feb. 20. She told the board the Circle Park Phase II project is “moving right along,” and said the river was starting to ice up and they would be keeping an eye on it.
• Trustee Tiffany Jehorek asked about the downtown lights. Willey and Etheridge said if there are specific lights that are never turning off or never turning on, to please notify the Town. About 15 of the solar photo cells have been replaced that were under warranty.
• Trustee Kathy Sizemore asked about compliance for short-term rentals, prompting a discussion about how compliance should be enforced. Mayor Day asked staff to research what other counties are doing.