Churchill County Library Board appoints John Hong as director, contingent on county commission approval

The Churchill County Library Board of Trustees voted to appoint John Hong to serve as Churchill County Library Director at Grade 72, Step 7, with a proposed start date of Oct. 20, 2025, contingent on approval of the advanced step placement by the Board of County Commissioners.

Kim Brontema, Churchill County human resources, told the board the county and library had agreed on Grade 72, Step 7 and that the start date had been set for Oct. 20, 2025. "We had agreed on a step 7 in the range 72, which is right in the middle of the range ... With the wages and benefits currently budgeted at a step 2 ... there's sufficient funds within your current budget to accommodate this step," Brontema said.

Brontema said the higher step would not jeopardize another open librarian position. "It would not impact that position, because the savings calculated are the savings that we already have," she said, adding that the money to cover the difference comes from current salary savings.

The board discussed the need to secure county-commission support because hiring at an advanced step would affect future budgets. Brontema said she believed the board had support from the commission and that the matter would be presented to the Board of County Commissioners next week for final approval. Board members emphasized the appointment was contingent on that approval; if commissioners decline the advanced step, the trustees said they would return to the item.

Trustee Sue made the motion to appoint John Hong as library director at the step and grade described and with the stated start date, subject to county commission approval. The motion was seconded (second not specified in the record) and approved by voice vote; the board recorded the motion as carried.

At the start of the meeting Pam Moore noted a posting irregularity unrelated to the appointment: "The agenda was posted on September 4 between the hours of 2 and 5. However, I will note that it was not posted to the state's website due to the cyber security breach. So but it has been posted at the other locations in accordance with statutes," Moore said. The trustees approved the revised agenda and the minutes of the July 11, 2025, meeting by voice votes earlier in the session.

The trustees said the hire is intended to provide staffing stability for the library. Brontema characterized the hiring process as thorough and said county staff had worked to ensure the budget could sustain the higher starting step.

The board adjourned after a second opportunity for public comment produced no speakers.