County and Caliente leaders disagree on staffing, budget for reopening Caliente library branch

Chair Janine Woodworth and county library officials discussed whether and how to reopen the Caliente library branch, with disagreements about patron levels, staffing and who should pay for operations.

Library Director Sharron Faehling told the board that patronage at Caliente had fallen from roughly 350 visits per month to about 120 per month in the years before closure and that she “couldn’t justify 19.5 hours” of weekly staff time given current usage and the absence of clear budget inputs from Caliente’s city staff. Caliente Councilmember Tommy Rowe said the city can provide the space, utilities and volunteers and asked that the branch be open 19.5–20 hours per week; he later asked that Caliente be considered for 3–4 hours per day and, eventually, five days per week for limited hours.

County leaders said funds had been reallocated during prior years to address other county needs and that a practical, staged reopening may be necessary. Janine Woodworth, chair of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, said the county could consider starting with limited hours — for example, two days per week — and explore a longer interlocal agreement before committing full staffing. “We need a longer agreement,” Janine said, noting the interlocal had been reduced from five years to two in recent negotiations and that staff did not want to expend time and money only to be moved again in two years.

Diane Path, the district attorney who participated in the discussion, reminded participants that volunteers must be fully vetted before they can supervise the facility, and Library Director Sharron Faehling said she cannot open the branch without staff supervision because she is accountable for inventory and securing doors. Faehling estimated a part-time county employee would cost about $13,000 per year (wages plus Medicare and related costs), and said she may need to shift hours from other branches temporarily to cover early staffing needs.

No final action was taken. The board asked that the city and library director work toward a written interlocal agreement, with the county considering a staged reopening and a staff-funded start if budget shortfalls arise. Caliente representatives asked to be the contact for the project and proposed that the city consider supporting a locally based hire; the board indicated that any plan must include a five-year agreement as a condition for more permanent staffing.

Next steps: staff will draft a plan and an interlocal agreement for a future meeting; funding and specific weekly hours remain to be resolved.