Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Appointment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners appoint Dan Holtz to Elkhart Public Library board after debate
Summary
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 June 16 to appoint Dan Holtz to the Elkhart Public Library Board after a commissioner raised concerns about Holtz's past board attendance and meeting style. Supporters cited his financial background and experience.
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on June 16 appointed Dan Holtz to the Elkhart Public Library Board by a 2–1 vote after a brief public discussion and statements from the applicant and library staff.
The appointment fills a seat on the library's board of trustees as the system searches for a replacement for its recently retired executive director. Commissioners Bradley D. Rogers and Commissioner Lawrence voted to approve the appointment; one commissioner voted against it, producing the 2–1 result.
A commissioner who opposed the appointment said Holtz "is not an appropriate board member for this at this time," citing concerns raised in conversations with other board members, irregular meeting attendance and a tendency to "not stay on task and out of the weeds." That commissioner added that the library currently needs a trustee experienced in transitions between executive directors and with more direct library governance experience.
Dan Holtz addressed the board before the vote, saying he is "nearly a lifelong resident of Elkhart County" and describing experience he said would be relevant to the board: two years with a legislative general assembly, three years in municipal bond underwriting at Merrill Lynch and experience in both private industry and government finance. For the record he gave his address as 22665 Greenleaf Boulevard, Elkhart, Indiana 46514.
Kevin Kilmer, director of branch and technical services for the Elkhart Public Library, read a letter from interim executive director Mary Beth Schlabach thanking county commissioners for their consideration and praising Jennifer Nielsen Mulvaney for 12 years of service on the board. Kilmer said the library looks forward to working with Holtz.
The motion to appoint Holtz was moved and seconded on the floor; the board used a roll-call vote that showed Rogers and Lawrence in favor and the opposing commissioner against, resulting in the 2–1 approval.
The library appointment is final at the county-commission level; no additional conditions were stated at the meeting.
