The Trustees of the Scioto County Public Library met on this date at 12:04 p.m. On roll call, the following members were present: Mr. Ryan Salmons – President of the Board, Ms. Joan Roberts – Vice President of the Board, Ms. Ruthann Brush – Secretary of the Board, Mrs. Jennifer Schackart – Board Member, and Dr. Charles Kemp – Board Member. Representing the library were Paige Williams – Director, Linda Berry – Deputy Director, Travis McNeilan – Fiscal Officer, Keely Woloschek – HR Manager, and Katie Williams – Marketing Manager. There were no visitors present.

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Mrs. Schackart, to approve the minutes of the Budget, Audit & Expenditure Committee Meeting, Materials & Equipment Committee Meeting, and Regular Meeting – February 20, 2025, and ordered them to be filed. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Mrs. Schackart motioned, seconded by Dr. Kemp, to approve the February 2025 financial reports, subject to audit. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Ms. Brush motioned, seconded by Ms. Roberts, to approve the February 2025 bills in the amount of $453,574.79 (including payroll). On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Audit, Budget, & Expenditures

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Mrs. Schackart, to approve the 2024 Annual Financial Report Compilation completed by Milhuff-Stang, CPA, Inc. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Ms. Roberts, to approve adding the ACH Origination Module to the Library’s US Bank General Account. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

2023-2024 Audit Update (Informational)

The State Auditors arrived on 3/12/2025 and plan on working on the Library’s audit for 4 weeks. The estimated hours and cost are 222 hours for a total of $9,102.00. A Fraud Risk Assessment Questionnaire was sent to every board member. There will be an informal entrance conference sent via email to all board members.

Paperless Transition Goal Update (Informational)

The Fiscal Office is now scanning all invoice support after cutting checks/reconciling electronic bank transactions. This will make it so much easier to pull up old invoices as the years of this new practice go by and has already been beneficial in looking things up.

Miscellaneous: City Trash Credit, Money Market Sweep/CPIM, and AP Automation (Informational)

The Fiscal Officer followed up with the City Manager and the City Water Director about making an exception for trash service credit. They asked for support from June of 2018 showing we paid Rumpke for trash services for their auditing purposes which will be provided to them once Rumpke sends the Library the invoices. The Fiscal Officer’s understanding is they will give the Library a $1,800.00 credit once they receive the support documents.

The Fiscal Officer asked US Bank about the money market sweep account to see if that is an option for the Library. The interest rate would be roughly 4%, while our STAR Ohio rate is currently 4.5% (down from 5.5% a year ago). The cost is $175 per month ($2,100.00 annually) to do this. Currently, the only investments that are legally allowable unless you are CPIM certified is STAR Ohio. This year the Fiscal Officer plans to get CPIM certified rather than file the exemption to allow the Library to invest in other things such as CDs, Commercial Paper, Money Markets, etc.

Lastly, as suggested, the Fiscal Officer looked into AP automation again. Through VIP, implementation would be about $3,000.00 and then annual costs would be $8,000.00 to $10,000.00. Through AvidXhange, the costs would be about $4,200.00 per year. At this time, the Fiscal Officer recommended the Board not to pursue this option for now to save the costs.

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Ms. Roberts, to approve allowing the Fiscal Officer to complete weekly sweep transfers from the Library’s General Account to the STAR Ohio Account effective 3/20/2025 to maximize the interest being earned on cash balances. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Property & Extension

It is noted that the Property & Extension Committee had nothing to report at this time.

Personnel

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Ms. Roberts, to approve the renewal contract with Vision Services Plan for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027 with no increase in premiums. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Materials & Equipment

New Bookmobile (Informational)

The bookmobile was in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15th and there were many positive comments about the new vehicle. On Monday the 17th, staff took the vehicle back to Farber in Columbus to have some small repairs completed.

Disposal of 2008 Bookmobile (Informational)

Gleim Auctions, Inc., in Wheelersburg has auctioned off items for local governmental entities such as the Scioto County Engineer’s Office. In speaking with the company, the Library would incur no fees as the buyer would have to pay all fees including commission costs with the sale of the Bookmobile. The Director requested a copy of their contract to be reviewed by legal counsel.

Ms. Roberts motioned, seconded by Dr. Kemp, to approve the disposal of materials as presented on the list following disposal guidelines. On roll call, the members voted as follows: Mr. Salmons – yes, Ms. Brush – yes, Mrs. Schackart – yes, Dr. Kemp – yes, and Ms. Roberts – yes.

Policy

It is noted that the Policy Committee has nothing to report at this time.

Report of the Director

Bookmobile Reception

The Library is planning to have the Bookmobile reception during the week of National Library Week which is April 6-12 as long as it has returned from Farber.

2024 State of Ohio Annual Statistical Report

2024 was a great year for SCPL! The report reflected growth in almost all statistical categories! These numbers reflect the Library’s supportive Board of Trustees, excellent staff and a community that loves their Library!

• Programming: 28% increase in programs offered and a 22% increase in program attendance
• Circulation: 1.3% increase in circulation – equates to over 4,090 more items circulating than in 2023
• Patron visits: 49% increase in patron visiting throughout the library system
• Reference questions answered: 29% increase over 2023

Library Movie Premiere and Panel Discussion

The Director was invited to attend a screening of Free for All: The Public Library at Ohio University Southern as part of the WOUB Women’s History Month programming on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. This powerful documentary, produced by Independent Lens and premiering on PBS in April 2025, explores how libraries have shaped our nation and remain vital sanctuaries for communities everywhere.

In addition several female library directors, including Paige, will participate in a panel discussion to explore the current state of libraries, their essential role in our communities, and how they continue to evolve.

Unfinished Business

There is no unfinished business to report.

New Business

Dr. Kemp motioned, seconded by Ms. Brush and unanimously carried, to approve to excuse Mrs. Tamela Morton and Mrs. Kara Tieman from the March 20th, 2025 Board meeting.

Public Comment

The Board did not receive any public comment.

There being no further business, on motion duly made and seconded, adjournment was taken at 12:34 p.m.

Approved this 17th day of April, 2025.