Library issues statement on Quorum Court’s proposed ordinance to control hiring

Read the full Quorum Court agenda at www.mysaline.com/qc-061923.

The Saline County Library has issued a statement regarding the proposed ordinance that will be put before the Saline County Quorum Court on Monday, June 19, 2023. The following is the full statement in dark blue, along with a copy of the ordinance at the end. ??

Tonight, at 6:30 PM, the Saline County Quorum Court will hold their monthly meeting. On the agenda for the meeting are several topics relating to the library, including “Ordinance Amending Ordinance 1978 – 1, to Revise the Obligations, Duties and Powers of the Administrative Saline County Library Board.”

As a Saline County resident, you have the right to contact your Quorum Court Justice of the Peace and let them know your thoughts on the proposed amendment. As the Saline County Library, it is our job to provide you with information. Below are the proposed amendments and what that will mean for the library and the board. Also below, you will find the Quorum Court members and their contact information. If you do not know who your Quorum Court Justice of the Peace is, you may find it by visiting Saline County Quorum Court page on the Saline County website. (Please note that the map is not updated to reflect the 2023-2024 Quorum Court members, but the district areas are the same.)

The ordinance takes out the Library Board’s full and complete authority and makes it subject to oversight by the Saline County Judge. It affects their authority to make purchases of supplies, equipment, and property. Any rules, policies, procedures, and regulations made by the Board have to be submitted to the County Judge for review.

Although the Library is part of the County’s Legislative Audit, the ordinance requires the library to pay for a third-party audit.

The Library’s budget will be subject to a line-by-line approval by the Quorum Court and subject to appropriation by the Quorum Court.

The Library already provides insurance protecting the Library from claims made against the Library Board, but the ordinance will require the Library to purchase insurance covering the county also.

The Library Board’s status as an administrative board (as opposed to an advisory board) is what ensures the library receives state aid of approximately $200,000 but the ordinance removes the administrative power which could likely result in the loss of that state aid.

See the 2 pages of the proposed ordinance below. ??Read the full Quorum Court agenda at www.mysaline.com/qc-061923.