Board cancels library services RFP after single vendor withdraws; supervisors debate oversight, assets and next steps

The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted to cancel a request for proposals (RFP) for library services after only one firm submitted a response and that firm declined to negotiate a contract. The vote followed extended public comment and a lengthy address from Supervisor John Jamieson urging a negotiated path forward that would tie county funding to public oversight and transparency.

Supervisor Jamieson framed the issue as a choice between two models: a public library operating under public accountability and governance or a privately operated library sustained by private funding. He urged Samuels Public Library to accept three conditions if it seeks public funding: full financial transparency; formal recognition that assets purchased with taxpayer funds are held for Warren County (a change to Samuels’ dissolution provisions he said would be required); and governance under an expanded Warren County Library Board with broader district representation. Jamieson asked the supervisors to set a firm July 31 deadline to reach agreement with Samuels on whether it would operate under public governance or as a private organization relying on private funds.

Speakers during public comment were sharply divided. Supporters urged the board to restore county funding and to negotiate with Samuels so library operations could continue with public oversight. Opponents and some speakers on the board expressed concerns about Samuels’ corporate governance documents, the library’s refusal to supply county FOIA requests in full, and changes to the organization’s dissolution clause. Multiple commenters asked that donated and taxpayer-funded assets remain available for public library purposes.

Board members voted unanimously to cancel the RFP after staff reported only one proposal had been received and that the proposer declined further negotiation. The motion to cancel passed in roll call. The board also discussed next steps and options for negotiating with Samuels; Supervisor Jamieson said he would propose a negotiation team and a deadline for concluding talks so the county could make a clear decision about the use of the appropriated funds.

No immediate reallocation of appropriated library funds was approved at the meeting; Supervisor Jamieson outlined alternative spending priorities he said the board could direct the funds toward should Samuels decline public oversight — including firefighter staffing, sheriff vehicles, economic development and school support — but no formal appropriation changes were made at the meeting.