Board Meeting minutes – 3/14/2022

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:03 am.

Member Roll Call: Present were John Shewalter, Dave Ochenreider, Brian Shoemake, Dee, Mounts, Kameron Mitchell, and Shanna Gibbons. Guests present were Leo Blundo, Alysha Wogee, and members of the public. Michelle Nelson from the District Attorney’s office was attending via telephone conference.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments:

Liaison Leo Blundo – Stated that various positions are opening up in the county, so get your applications in. Thanked the Board and the public for their attendance and interest in their library.

No other comments by the Board members.

Approval of the Agenda: Item 7 (Emergency Items) was stricken from the agenda. Items 8 and 9 were delayed until after the arrival of the presenter of the accounting reports. The amended agenda was approved by a 5-0 vote.

General Public Comment:

Bruce Schoenberger – Suggested a prayer be spoken at each Board meeting after the pledge.

Approval of the Minutes: Shoemake made a motion to approve the minutes of the 14 February 2022 Library Board of Trustees meeting. Mounts seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0.

Presentation Treasurer’s Report: Shanna Gibbons presented the treasurer’s report on expenditures and revenues for February 2022. Stated that she has been given more instructions on reporting of revenues and will be reporting more on that later.

Approval of Payment Vouchers: Shoemake made a motion to approve the payment vouchers for the period of February 2022 to March 2022. The motion was seconded by Mitchell.

Discussion: Shanna gibbons was asked by Trustee Mitchell whether the Blackstone Audio expenditure was for audio books; whether the air conditioning system had issues; and whether the Mango Languages expenditure was the annual fee. She answered Blackstone was for audio books, DP Air Co was for regular maintenance for the air conditioning system, and yes, it was an annual fee for Mango Languages.

The approval was made by a 5-0 vote and the vouchers were signed.

Presentation Librarian’s Report: Shanna Gibbons and Alyssa Wogee reported on the February 2022 library activities, which included patron traffic, books checked out books returned, internet usage, story time, STEAM, website usage, and materials added. Most numbers appear to be trending upward. See attached report. A discussion of the children’s program attendance and volunteers was had.

Agenda item 14: A motion was made by Shoemake to rescind the Pahrump Library District’s current mask policy in light of Governor Sisolak’s lifting of the Nevada state mask mandate. It was seconded by Mounts.

Discussion: Bill Carns – voiced his full support of the motion.

A request was made by Trustee Mitchell to view the current mask policy that was to be rescinded. The policy was not available but it was described as the same as the Nye County Board of Commissioner’s policy and was further described by Commissioner Blundo.

The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.

Agenda item 15: A motion was made by Ochenreider to move the Pahrump district Library bank account(s) to Nevada State Bank due to the closure of the Pahrump Bank of America branch. The motion was seconded by Shoemake.

Discussion:

Leo Blundo – asked if other banks were checked. Was concerned about going to another large commercial bank which may also close its rural braches out of concern for profits.

Sam Jones – opined to not use Nevada State Bank but rather a private bank such as Meadows.

Bill Newyear – agreed with Jones. Stated we should postpone this move if we had not researched other banks.

Bruce Schoenberger – favored approval of the motion now and can consider other banks at a later time if needed.

Dwight W Hunter – favored approval as a state bank would be a better choice for the future.

Gene Fisher – opined we should not use China-owned banks such as Nevada State Bank and Bank of America.

Trustee Mitchell asked how the decision was made to move the accounts to Nevada State Bank.

Chairman Shewalter explained he made the decision with input from Shanna Gibbons due to the time constraints to change, proximity of the Nevada State Bank to the Library, and the limitations due to the OML.

Trustee Mounts stated they must be moved now and moving to another bank at a later time would be okay if needed.

Trustee Ochenreider would prefer Meadows Bank over Nevada State Bank.

Trustee Shoemake stated he has had issues with Nevada State Bank and would prefer Meadows Bank.

Liaison Blundo – said time is of the essence and moving the accounts should not be delayed.

The motion passed by a vote of 4 in favor with Shoemake opposed.

Presentation: The accounting report of the June 30, 2021 audit report and the 2022-2023 budget was presented by Daniel McArthur, CPA, representing Daniel McArthur Ltd. as the auditor of the Pahrump Library District. He started out by summarizing the scope of the report and the responsibilities of the management and the auditor, and the financial statements of accounts. He stated that, as required by law, he found no compliance or significant deficiency issues. He explained that the district expended $59,147 on system upgrades to the HVAC from the Capital Projects fund and it is planned to transfer $100,000 to that fund in the next fiscal year.

In the general fund, he pointed out the assets of about $1,841,000 which indicates the District is in good financial condition. This does not include capital assets.

He then explained the revenues for the General Fund. He showed that actual revenues were greater than budgeted as well as greater than the 2020 year prior. He showed that the 90% of the revenues come from property taxes and that total revenues were about $1,100,000. He indicated that all of the expenditures increased. However, the excess of revenues (“profit”) was over $361,000.

He explained that the source of the Capital Projects fund comes from the General fund. He further explained the accounting process for determining losses and gains of this fund. He explained that this fund is also in a good position with a balance over $1,362,000, He cautioned that this fund can only be used for capital improvements or expenditures.

He then described the small Friends of the Library fund, which is basically donations to the library.

He then showed the exhibit of the consolidation of all the funds of the District. It is here that the building and equipment values are shown. The net value is $2,234,181 and the total assets are $5,444,767. On this same page he explained the liabilities seen here, specifically with regard to PERS and pension charges.

Overall, he stated that the Library District is in a very good financial position as it could operate with the current balance for about two years assuming no capital outlays occur.

Mr. McArthur continued by presenting a “sample” budget. He explained the Nevada State requirements concerning its budget forms and the process for property tax assessments. He also explained the estimated tax revenue projections the state sends out to all agencies. He explained how the values on the sample were determined. He stated the total commitments and fund balance does not show transfers out because there were none for 2022 and that the bookmobile fund is a new fund that has not been budgeted previously. The expenditure cannot be known so the amount shown is the estimate from the current year.

The current up-to-date balances of the funds are $2,067,000 in the General fund; $7400 in the Friends of the Library fund; and $1,331,000 in the Capital Projects fund. You may get a balance sheet from the Comptroller’s office.

Agenda item 9: Shoemake moved to approve remote access to financial records for the Pahrump Library District by Daniel McArthur Ltd. The motion was seconded by Mitchell. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

General Public Comment:

Joe Burdzinski – stated that in July, 53 years ago the US placed a man on the moon. In light of that, he recommends that there be a Science Day at the library once or twice a year.

Richard Bushart – gave his thanks to the Board for their service.

Diane Marie Holguin-Brooks – stated the director position should be on the agenda next month.

Nancy Boyce – presented a request for an agenda item to have a citizens’ advisory commission to help with finding a director and for oversight of the Board.

Bruce Schoenberger – the library is in good hands with the Board and no advisory commission is necessary.

Jane Goodrow – stated she was impressed with the report given by the CPA. Compliments to all board members and staff of the past twenty years for putting us in such a good financial position.

Allen Michels – discussed rainy-day account goals, ladder strategies, etc. and wondered if those investments can be earmarked. He stated they are moving slowly on the Friends of the Library group and thanked the library staff for their time and assistance. And lastly, he really wants those lights for the tables.

Bill Newyear – provided credit to the current and previous boards and past director for the good financial position of the library.

Matthew Morris – stated the public is the advisory committee and no additional committee is needed.

Sam Jones – suggested a schedule be made for the bookmobile to locate at the public parks.

Dwight W Hunter – stated a need for a better sound system at the Board meetings.

Leo Blundo – stated his concerns about a public advisory committee.

Trustee, Director, and Liaison Comments:

Liaison Blundo - stated that there is an option to use the County Commissioners auditorium for library board meetings as schedules permit.

Shanna Gibbons - thanked Daniel McArthur for his presentation and stated she is working on the lighting/wiring for the table lamps.

Trustee Mounts – thanked the public for their attendance. Mentioned the “dogs into library” children’s program.

Trustee Ochenreider – requested an explanation of the donation policy.

Shanna Gibbons – replied there are space limitations on the number of donations that can be accepted at one time from donors. Also, the condition of books may determine non- acceptance and the current inventory of the same books may not allow acceptance.

Trustee Shoemake opposes any library advisory committee.

Meeting adjourned at 11:51 am.

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