Perkins Library Board recommends removing two advisory, nonvoting positions from city code

The Perkins Library Board voted to recommend that the City Commission amend Perkins City code section 7.3.2 to remove two advisory, nonvoting positions from the library board roster.

Board members said the two advisory positions — described in the code as members who live within the Perkins School District and serve as advisory members — have been vacant for months and are difficult to recruit. One member said the advisory seats have been empty since December and that potential volunteers often feel they have little purpose when they cannot vote.

A motion to eliminate the advisory positions was moved, seconded and approved by the members present (Charlotte, Austin and Nikki). Members discussed how the change would simplify the code language to state the board "shall consist of 5 citizens" living within the city or Perkins School District and remove the paragraph specifying the two advisory members.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Commission as a proposed code amendment; the board framed the change as administrative housekeeping to reflect recruitment realities rather than a substantive policy shift in voting rights.

The board did not indicate a specific timeline for the commission vote; the recommendation was approved during the meeting.