HVAC SYSTEM NEEDS REPAIRED AFTER ONE YEAR, WARRANTY EXPIRED
By Susan Salyer
On Monday August 8, 2022 the Lawrence County Public Library had a Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting at 5PM at the Lawrence County Public Library. Library Board of Trustees present were President John Osborne, Secretary Scott Osborn, Treasurer Kim Burchett and Marc Lester. Vice-President Susie Chambers was absent. Others present included Library employees Denna Meade and Caleb Farley.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. July 2022 Minutes – Motion by Scott Osborn and 2nd by Marc Lester. None opposed.
2. June 2022 Financials- Motion by Kim Burchett and 2nd by John Osborne. None opposed.
3. Strategic Plan – Final Version – Library Director Carlie Pelfrey said “The Strategic Plan is the same, she changed some typos.” Motion by Scott Osborn and 2nd by Marc Lester. None opposed.
4. 2022 – 2023 Tax Rates – The compensating rate this year 2022 is 13.1%. Last year 2021 the rate was 13.2%. Library Director Carlie Pelfrey said, “When I started in 2014 the tax rate was 16.6% now in 2022 the tax rate is 13.1%” dropping the tax rate by 3.4% in 8 years.
The Library is the fourth largest taxing district in Lawrence County with county government collecting only 17% for roads, bridges and all other county operations. More than $6 million has been spent on the LC Library in the past eight years since Pelphrey was hired.
The compensating tax rate Motion made by Marc Lester and 2nd by Kim Burchett. None opposed. Also the Tax Rate for Motor Vehicles and Watercraft was passed at 2.8%. Motion by Kim Burchett 2nd by Marc Lester. None opposed.
5. EMCOR Service Quote – HVAC System Service Contract – The Library completed a $4 million renovation project last year (2021)and now the one year contract is up and the HVAC isn’t working properly as contracted. Pelfrey said she received a quote from the Service Contractors. (No amount was given on the service contract). Pelfrey said the new contract “will make the HVAC more efficient but more expensive.” Motion by Marc Lester 2nd by Scott Osborn. None opposed.
6. Board Update – Pelfrey gave a list of July & August totals at the Library:
⁃ Door Count – 13,615
⁃ Meals on site – 84
⁃ Meals off site – 7,701
⁃ Attendance (July) – 7,746
⁃ Feeding in house – 2,436 meals
⁃ Bag Meals – 3,279
⁃ Barker Farm attendance – 630
⁃ Comedy Show – 93
⁃ Dino had 5 shows in Louisa, Fallsburg and Blaine- 1200 in attendance
⁃ Library Outreach Vehicles – The LC Public Library vehicles will be wrapped with a new logo to cover entire vehicle this week.
⁃ Stem and Sensory programs were purchased by the LC Public Library with ARPA Funds (American Rescue Plan Act) No amount provided.
⁃ Pelfrey will be going through the applications received for part-time employees and is looking to hire this week.
7. Public Comments – None
Not enough to even notice. Will this lower our library tax by a nickel. This is laughable. Makes for good PR. Just a talking point. They’ll still rake in millions and then scramble to spend it on what is suggested by someone from down state. Lawrence County Lottery.
You do a great job Carlie.
Well here goes $216.15 might as well just burn it
I’m sick of this library. Just sick of it. We need more of these taxes directed toward our roads….something everyone uses. Millions have been wasted on this building.
The library has lowered its tax rate 3.4% since Carlie has been in. How much has Phil Carter lowered your tax rate since he has been in? Does everyone here use the new soccer field or the new pickleball court? How about the county fair facility that has very little parking? How often is that used? The library is used all year long. They didn’t raise your taxes to build it…. It’s one of the best libraries in the state and yet this news blog and the Carter administration don’t think the people of Lawrence County deserve it.
I think they all should have another raise. Lawrence County Lottery!!! One penny for every dollar of your library taxes. This is insulting to the taxpayers. Yet their point is we lowered the tax rate. Sounds good but I’m not buying your smoke screen BS.
Hi, Phil.
As the article is written, it states .01%. If that’s correct, then it’s not a penny on the dollar. As a percentage, that is a savings of one cent on every $100.
The compensating rate is a term that means the actual tax coming in stays the same . It is a rate that ” compensates ” for changes in property values . It is pre – calculated and makes it easy for the taxing authority to implement . The overall taxes stayed the same . If they had increased it above that then the Fiscal Court would have some over site . If they had actually lowered it then they couldn’t ever increase it again with out the Court agreeing – and they know that . It is a smoke screen to appear that they are finally being frugal .
also notice that the Watercraft / Motor Vehicle tax is much higher than the rate set by the City of Louisa
Home assessed value = $100,000 divided by 100 = 1,000 x .131 = $131 if paid early save 2% = $2.62
Library tax would be $131 if paid early $128.38