Sumner County library board approves 2025 branch budgets, OKs pay increases and several capital requests

The Sumner County Library Board on Feb. 21 approved the proposed 2025 budgets for multiple branches and voted separately on several pay and capital items after extended discussion about staffing, technology needs and building repairs.

Board members approved Portland and Westmoreland budgets with minor adjustments, added a $5,000 salary increase for the Hendersonville director and approved Gallatin and Millersville budgets with amendments that moved some larger capital requests to later years or added HVAC and computer funding. Board members also suspended strict adherence to Robert’s Rules for the budget discussion to allow direct questioning of library directors.

The board said the votes matter because the budgets set branch staffing levels, capital outlays and the maintenance-of-effort baseline the county will use in the coming fiscal year. Directors and board members repeatedly flagged technology replacements, building inspections and AED (automated external defibrillator) placements as items requiring separate follow-up with county maintenance, health services or the budget office.

Directors provided specifics during the meeting. The Westmoreland director reported five office computers will need replacement before October 2025 and asked whether that cost should be covered in this year’s capital outlay or delayed until tech grant funds typically received in November or December. The board chose to add the computer request to Westmoreland’s capital outlay so staff could act before the Windows 11 rollout and to allow any future grant award to reimburse the capital allocation if appropriate.

On facility work the board discussed a reported $30,000 estimate to reroof a branch building; members agreed to request an inspection from county maintenance to verify need and to move any major reroofing to 2027 pending the inspection and any insurance review. The board also confirmed that $15,000 already allocated in a prior vote will be used for window replacement and that money should be removed from this year’s capital requests because it has already been assigned.

Public‑facing safety equipment drew attention. Westmoreland and Portland each requested AEDs; one line item shown in the packet was $1,600 for an AED while another noted $3,000 for a different branch’s device. Board members agreed to pursue health/emergency services and possible grant funding for AEDs rather than obligating recurring budget dollars, and to leave AED requests in the capital or operating lines pending those conversations.

Hendersonville received the most contentious debate. Board members discussed the library’s larger collection, higher foot traffic and supervisory responsibilities before voting. The board approved a motion to add a $5,000 increase in annual pay for the Hendersonville director; the motion passed with board members saying “aye” and no recorded opposition. The board then approved the Hendersonville budget as amended.

Gallatin’s directors requested several capital items, including an inspection and possible replacement of a 2008 HVAC system (the packet noted the unit is roughly 16 years old). The board removed a $25,000 building‑facade request from this year’s capital list and moved that item into a later year, but kept painting and a proposed HVAC assessment on the capital list. The board also approved a $2,000 increase in the Gallatin director’s pay and accepted the Gallatin budget as amended.

Millersville’s director asked to convert two part‑time positions into two full‑time positions to improve recruitment and retention; the packet included a request for a substantial personnel increase (an overall proposed 20% raise figure appeared in the director’s submission). Board members noted the request and conveyed it to the budget committee; they also approved Millersville’s capital requests as discussed, with some line‑item adjustments.

The board repeatedly emphasized process constraints: tech grants typically do not disburse until late in the calendar year, county capital funds revert to the general fund if not encumbered by July 1, and larger building work over $25,000 will require formal bidding and additional county budget scrutiny. Several items were left for follow‑up: county maintenance will inspect roofing and building facades, health/emergency services will be queried about AED procurement and training, and finance will be asked to confirm whether capital money can be reimbursed if a tech grant later covers the same expense.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by voice; board members called for “aye” or “abstain” for each motion. The board adjourned after the budgets were approved and a short period of final business.

Ending: Board members instructed staff to route the approved and amended budgets to county finance and to return to the board with reports from maintenance, health services and any awarded tech grants before any additional capital spending occurs.