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Board accepts quarterly expense reports; trustees flag high utilities and vendor issues
Summary
At the September meeting the board approved expense reports, discussed higher-than-expected utility costs at Lexington Park, vendor service complaints about Breezeline, and noted tuition reimbursement increases and a pending $50,000 capital grant for the mobile library.
The St. Mary’s County Library Board of Trustees voted to accept the quarterly expense reports and discussed several items on the financial summary, including higher utility costs and vendor service concerns.
Board President Jim Hanley moved to accept the minutes and later moved to accept the expense reports (EALs), motions that were seconded and carried, the transcript shows. The board also approved closing branches for an annual staff day on Dec. 2.
Why it matters: Trustees flagged electricity and other utility costs that have exceeded typical year-to-date percentages at Lexington Park as a near-term budget pressure, and staff told the board they are monitoring costs and may adjust next year’s budget accordingly.
Treasury and expenses: Treasurer Tressa Setlack was absent and is transferring signature authority for the Vanguard account, Hanley said; former treasurer Sandy Hohenstein and former staff member Carolyn Guy remain on the account and staff are working to complete the transfer. A separate small account ending in 0502 with a balance of $6,071.35 as of end of August will be rolled into the regular OPEB account.
Utilities and vendors: Finance staff told trustees electricity at the Lexington Park branch was at 36% of budget although only 21% of the fiscal year had elapsed, which staff attributed in part to a warm summer and air-conditioning usage. Breezeline, the county cable provider, has generated customer complaints in some neighborhoods; staff said library network design has reduced the effect of outages on library service, but acknowledged some patrons remain dissatisfied.
Payments and reimbursements: The board noted tuition reimbursements listed on the report. Directors said five employees plan to use tuition benefits in the coming year, which will spread available funds thinner for individual reimbursements. The board also discussed a $27,100 bill from Curvature LLC to add a new phone port at Leonardtown required by the county.
Grants and capital: Staff said a Maryland capital grant of $50,000 is expected for the mobile library; there is also a rollover grant of roughly $9,000 from the previous year that must be spent by March. Accounting and audit timing have delayed some budget rollups; library staff said final audit figures from their accountants are still pending and may delay an October voting deadline.
Ending: Staff will provide follow-up details on the Vanguard signature transfer, utility allocations for Leonardtown once the county’s MOU is finalized, and the status of the expected mobile-library grant.
