Pahrump Community Library
Minutes of the May 27, 2026 Board of Trustees Special Meeting
- Call to order
Meeting called to order at 10:02 a.m.
- Members Roll Call
In attendance: Chair Michael Runion, Vice Chair Christopher Salute (arrived late), Secretary Ann Underdahl, Trustee Mathew Morris, Trustee Terri Bell, Director Kimberly Thomas, Acting Assistant Director Jennifer, Head of Reference Kit.
- Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Runion.
- GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST): * (Action will NOT be taken on matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item.)
There were no general public comments.
- Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments: - This item is limited to announcements, brief discussions of public comments, correction of factual inaccuracies, direction to staff, or topics proposed for future board meetings. (Lengthy deliberation of topics not on the agenda is prohibited by the Nevada Open Meeting Law).
Director Thomas had no comment.
Trustee Bell had no comment.
Secretary Underdahl had no comment.
Trustee Morris had no comment.
Chair Runion had no comment.
- Approval of May 27, 2026 Agenda (Non-action item)
Without objection, the May 27, 2026 agenda is approved.
- For Possible Action: Emergency Items
Item 7 is struck as there were no emergency items.
- For Possible Action: Discussion and deliberation to adopt or amend and adopt the Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for the Pahrump Community Library District.
Chair Runion made a motion to adopt the final budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Pahrump Community Library District.
Secretary Underdahl seconds.
Chair Runion asked Mr. McArthur if he had any comments. Mr. McArthur stated that he did not. He went over the budget with the board last week and no changes had been made.
Since there was no public in attendance, Chair Runion opened the item to board comment. He started by thanking Mr. McArthur for his work on the budget. He stated that the budget looks rock solid.
Trustee Bell stated that she had reviewed the budget and was amazed at the fiscal solvency of the library district.
Secretary Underdahl stated that she looked over the budget and that she appreciated the way the budget is forecasted.
Trustee Morris stated that everything looked clear and concise to him.
Director Thomas asked if the amount budgeted for employee salary and benefits could be raised so more people could be hired and wages could be raised. She asked that it be raised to $773,000 for salary instead of $710,325 and benefits be raised to $430,000 from $310,000.
Chair Runion asked Secretary Underdahl if she was amiable to amend her second, and she stated that she was.
Secretary Underdahl withdrew her second.
Chair Runion withdrew his motion.
Chair Runion made a motion to amend and adopt the final budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Pahrump Community Library with the changes requested by Director Thomas.
Secretary Underdahl seconds.
There was no public comment and the item was opened for board comment.
Trustee Bell asked if the Director was looking to increase current employees' salaries and benefits, hire more employees or both. Director Thomas responded that she wanted to do both.
Secretary Underdahl stated that they looked at other libraries with comparable populations when deciding what to pay the director. She understands that what we want to do now is make the salaries of our other employees comparable with other libraries that are similar to us. She believes that it would be a good idea.
Trustee Morris asked that the numbers be repeated.
Chair Runion stated that if the library needs to hire more people that it should be done and he believes in paying people what they are worth and this does not change the solvency of the library district.
Trustee Morris stated that he did not yield. He stated that the numbers sound amenable to him. He asked Director Thomas if the amount was sufficient for the next budget year, and she stated it was.
Vice Chair Salute arrived at the meeting at approximately 10:13a.m., and he was updated by Chair Runion at that time.
Vice Chair Salute asked Director Thomas what the new staff member would be doing. She responded that the increase would allow her to hire a full-time librarian who can focus on outreach, marketing, and programming. He asked why bring in a librarian and not a marketing person who could do community outreach. She stated that there are other positions as well. She believes that a library needs to have librarians working in it, and they bring things to the table that someone without that experience wouldn’t have. Vice Chair Salute stated that a marketing person could get to know what a library does for the community and that it is easily trained, and they may bring things to the table that hadn’t been thought of. He asked that the Director broaden the idea of what she is looking for and she stated that she could potentially bring in someone as a technician or specialist level for those duties that have some kind of a marketing background.
Vice Chair Salute asked if a larger budget can be approved if the Director decides to broaden that scope. Chair Runion stated that it would have to be an action item for a different meeting.
Secretary Underdahl stated the old board was very quick to set budget levels that were lower and really limited what could be done. She liked having the option of having the ability to find the best person for the job.
Chair Runion called the question.
Chair Runion, Vice Chair Salute, Trustee Morris, Secretary Underdahl and Trustee Bell all voted yes. The measure passes 5-0.
Mr. McArthur asked the board to sign the necessary forms to approve the budget. He stated that the expenditure is going to increase. He stated that it would be corrected before it was sent to the state Department of Taxation.
- GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND): * (Action will NOT be taken on matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item.)
There was no public comment and the item was closed.
- Trustee/Director/Liaison Comments: - This item is limited to announcements, brief discussions of public comments, correction of factual inaccuracies, direction to staff, or topics proposed for future board meetings. (Lengthy deliberation of topics not on the agenda is prohibited by the Nevada Open Meeting Law).
Director Thomas had no comment.
Trustee Bell had no comment.
Secretary Underdahl had no comment.
Trustee Morris had no comment.
Vice Chair Salute had no comment.
Chair Runion asked Director Thomas to get quotes for complete roof replacement due to the ongoing problem. He also asked that she do a desk audit, where employees write down what they do during the day and compare that with the actual job descriptions to make sure people are being paid appropriately.
Vice Chair Salute stated that one of the reasons he thought about the idea of not bringing in a librarian, but a marketing person, is that there may be items that Director Thomas is doing but not getting paid for.
Item 10 was closed.
- Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 10:25a.m.