Library director asks Emery County to raise assistant wages, preserve grants for 'Library of Things'

Desiree (identified in the discussion as the library presenter) told commissioners she is asking to move assistant librarians from wage grade 7 to 9 and to bump her own position from wage grade 17 to 20 to reflect increased responsibilities and the need to retain staff.

She said the assistant start rate would rise to about $14.52 per hour and that the proposed $5 per hour supplement for library technician Kyle would be a county contribution because much of his pay is currently carried by the county general fund. "I want to keep Kyle," she said, citing his range of maintenance and technical skills that save contracting costs.

The director highlighted a $13,000 State Library grant to expand a 'Library of Things'—a circulating collection of nontraditional items—and requested building improvements using one‑time grant funds for insulation and xeriscaping at branch locations. Commissioners sought assurance that the grant money would not be used for recurring salaries; staff said the grant and other one‑time funds are earmarked for capital and project work.

Commissioners and the library director discussed the broader problem of stagnant county revenue after recent shifts in assessment: a speaker explained the county did not realize net revenue gains from recent tax changes because centrally assessed entities shifted liabilities, leaving county revenues effectively neutral.

The commission asked the library director to provide detailed salary costings and proposed funding sources before any formal wage changes are scheduled for adoption.