BROOKINGS — While no official word has been received yet, it’s possible the Brookings County Commission’s wish for an ex-officio seat on the board of the Brookings Public Library won’t be granted.
That’s what Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen told commissioners at their June 4 meeting. She and Commissioner Shawn Hostler met recently with BPL Director Ashia Gustafson and Assistant City Manager Samantha Beckman.
Still, there might be a silver lining.
“They’re going to start providing the commission with a number of different reports — they have a monthly newsletter, some quarterly reports, some quarterly numbers,” Steffensen said. “The librarian also gives a report to the City Council, so that will be sent our way.”
She added that Gustafson would like to come to commission meetings a couple of times a year for such things as the library’s annual report in February or March and again in August or September to report on its summer reading programs.
“I think this discussion all came about because we had sent the request to have an ex-officio member on the library board,” Steffensen said. “I’ve not received anything in writing saying no, but I don’t think the answer is yes to us for that, is what I am understanding. I haven’t gotten anything official at this point.”
The commission wants representation in exchange for the $25,000 in taxpayer funding it typically provides each year. That money ensures county residents living outside the Brookings city limits don’t have to pay for their library cards.
The BPL’s board meets the second Thursday after the first Monday of each month at noon in the library’s Historical Room.
“They’re open to the public. We could, without having an official ex-officio on that board — if someone wants to attend those routinely,” Steffensen said. “I don’t know, I guess I’m maybe looking for some direction there.”
After a bit of discussion, commissioners settled on agreeing to send a representative to the BPL’s meetings whenever possible.
Prior to resolving the representation question, commissioners heard testimony from two local residents — Peggy Parker and Nancy Stewart — regarding their concerns about content found in books aimed at the young adult population.
They advocated for a movie-style ratings system for books to make it easier for would-be readers and/or their guardians to ascertain what type of content the book contains.
Commissioners took no action, as it was during the public comment portion of their meeting.
In other action
Beyond libraries and books, the commission on June 4 also:
• On a 5-0 vote, approved the canvass of the June 2 primary election. They learned from finance office representatives that 28% of the county’s 19,660 eligible voters cast ballots — 1,752 via absentee and 3,718 at the polls for an overall total of 5,470.
In other election-related matters, early voting begins June 12 in the GOP primary runoff race between Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden, with the last day for voter registration being July 13. The election will be July 28, and commissioners will canvass the results in a meeting on July 30 at 8:30 a.m.
• Decided to discuss Senate Bill 96 — which goes into effect on July 1 and will allow counties to charge a sales tax to offset owner-occupied property taxes — at 6 p.m. on June 22. The meeting will be open to the public.
• On a 5-0 vote, approved an $18,000 agreement with SPN Helms Engineers & Surveyors for the final design and bidding phases for North Drive and Cornell Street improvements in Elkton. The community was approved for some grant money for the fourth phase of the project, and June 4 vote was a small, but key, part of that process.
• Discussed special event licenses for licensed alcohol sellers, including the need for the business to appear before commissioners along with the current limit of six per year per business. No decisions were made, and any changes would require ordinance updates, which would need at least two commission meetings to accomplish.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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