Library board authorized to begin contract talks with LSS after competitive RFP; one supervisor votes no

Dean Jacks, vice chairman of the Warren County Library Board, told supervisors the library board evaluated two RFP responses and ranked Library Systems & Services (LSS) highest after closed‑session scoring. Jacks said LSS scored 395.5 out of 400 on the library board’s scorecards and offered a five‑year flat budget of $1,024,000 with proposed increases beginning in year six. LSS also proposed an initial contribution of $125,000 for revitalizing the collection and a $150,000 donation toward a mobile outreach van or toward furnishings and equipment.

Jacks said the library board recommends that the Board of Supervisors authorize the library board to enter contract negotiations with LSS for services to begin in the county fiscal year 2026. He clarified the library board’s consistent view that library assets and the county‑owned building belong to Warren County and would transfer to any new vendor that the county selects.

Supervisors asked about the building lease and the current vendor occupying the facility. Planning and procurement staff deferred legal questions to the county attorney and emphasized the motion before the board was limited to authorizing negotiations; any contract would return to the Board of Supervisors for approval. Several supervisors also raised concerns that legal disputes or an existing lease could complicate any transition of services.

The board voted to authorize the library board to commence contract negotiations with LSS, with approval subject to subsequent board review of any final contract. The roll call showed a majority vote in favor and one recorded "No."