Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Program Room 2B
Tom Bunger.
President John Walsh called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.
Before addressing the 2010 salary schedule, Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy announced that health insurance enrollment has been completed. Thirty-seven employees enrolled in the PPO plan, 28 in the HSA with $3,000 deductible, and 21 in the new HSA with $5,000 deductible.
Randy Paul asked about staff reaction to the offerings. Kyle reported that positive feedback has been received about the presentation of materials, but noted that staff had tough decisions to make. Some concern has been expressed regarding the cost of part-time coverage and the possibility that it will become unaffordable and yet preclude staff from enrolling in the state Healthy Indiana Plan.
Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy presented the 2010 salary schedule which includes partial implementation of the recommendations of the Classification and Compensation Study, with the potential for the remainder to be implemented in 2011.
Steve Moberly requested assurance that the salary schedule matches the salary line item in the 2010 adopted budget. Sara Laughlin confirmed and noted that under the assumption that all employees on the payroll as of the end of November remain and receive the recommended pay increases, the total payroll for 2010 will be $3,797,445, under the budgeted line item of $3,800,048. This is based on approximately 180 employees.
The board discussed attrition and how it could be tracked. Sara Laughlin felt that using a dollar amount spent rather than numbers of employees would work best; however, any eliminated positions could be reported as well as the number of people on specific payrolls.
Steve Moberly suggested a report of the total number of employees each month, e.g., on the first and last days of the month.
Randy Paul requested a report on employees eligible for PERF-eligible retirement.
Kyle Wickemeyer-Hardy noted that the Board is being asked to approve a formal resolution to adopt the salary schedule for 2010. The resolution will make it easier for our auditors to find documentation.
John Walsh asked whether Tom Bunger had reviewed the resolution. Tom Bunger confirmed.
Sara Laughlin presented the 2010 holiday closing schedule, noting that it includes the same number of days as in recent years. Staff Day has been changed from Monday to Wednesday for 2010 because Monday is the busiest day of the week at the library.
Sara Laughlin explained that MCPL does not comply in three areas of the Indiana State Library Public Library Standards. These areas are: Board of Trustees Bylaws (MCPL’s bylaws have not been updated since 1980); technology plan (expired); and requirement of three InfoExpress deliveries per week (MCPL has only two at this time). The by-laws will be reviewed and revised or reaffirmed. A third delivery can be added at a cost of $450/year. The draft technology plan distributed to the Board will allow us to meet that requirement.
Ned Baugh, Information Systems Manager, discussed the technology plan. The previous plan was for years 2005–2007. That plan has been reviewed, noting what has been accomplished. The new plan is directly related to the 2009–2011 Strategic Plan.
Randy Paul asked how MCPL compares with other similarly-sized libraries. Ned felt that we have some room to grow with the level of staff proficiencies and in the number of public computers offered. The main obstacle to offering more computers is lack of physical space. The available public computers receive heavy usage, technology classes are generally full to capacity, and many patrons use wireless access in the library.
Randy Paul, referring to page 4–27 of the technology plan, asked for confirmation that no decision has been made about the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, even though the plan shows anticipated expenditures for tags and system. Sara Laughlin confirmed and explained that the budget is an estimate, much like a capital projects plan. It is important to anticipate what we might be doing. Bids for the RFID system have been received and are under review. Sara anticipates presenting information to the Board in January with a decision to follow in February.
Steve Moberly noted that once a bid is accepted, it becomes a contract to purchase.
Randy Paul was concerned that the RFID system will be a large expense and noted that our income will be dropping. Sara Laughlin felt that it was an investment in order to reduce operating costs in the long-term and felt that it would position us better for a leaner future.
Randy Paul asked if administration knew of any libraries that have been using RFID long enough to see cost savings. Sara Laughlin stated that most have used the system for less than two years but all think that it has been an improvement. A return on investment study has been performed and will be presented to the Board in January.
Kari Isaacson thanked Ned Baugh for his thoroughness in the plan.
Bonnie Estell explained that the resolution to make temporary loans through the Indiana Bond Bank’s program would enable the library to borrow from that fund if necessary in the event of a delay in tax settlement receipts from the Monroe County Auditor’s office. To date 60% of the anticipated December settlement has been received (about 75% of the year’s total anticipated receipts). Borrowing from the bond fund would replace borrowing from local banks and eliminate the need for advertising. The Bond Fund would handle those details. Before any borrowing would be done, the library would use internal transfers from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund to cover expenses, primarily for the Debt Service (mortgage payment).
Randy Paul asked how this year’s tax settlement payments compare to last year’s record. Bonnie Estell stated that payments this year have been much more prompt. The county auditor’s office has stated that it hopes to make final payment before the end of the year.
As discussed above, this resolution will enable the library to transfer funds from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund to the Operating Fund, Debt Service, and Library Capital Projects Funds in the event that tax settlement funds are not received in a timely manner. The transfers would be reversed upon receipt of the tax settlement funds.
This is a routine operating procedure and will be used only if tax settlement funds are not received before year-end.
None.
Randy Paul asked for an update on library renovations. Sara Laughlin stated that the Children’s Department renovation is in progress. Painting has started. The carpeting has been delayed with an anticipated delivery of mid-January. Epoxy is being applied to the back hallway by CATS. The hallway should be usable by next week (week of December 14). The work in the parking lot continues. The canopy is being removed. Space for the lay-by has been created but will not be used until the lot is asphalted, painted, and lane direction changed.
Randy Paul asked about the status of the Kirkwood Street cutaway. Sara Laughlin explained that we are waiting for a price.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Contact
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Updated:
January 5, 2010
° http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/board/200912wrk.html
