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Opponent urges audit, federal review of SRS Title III funds used for library; court says counsel reviewed eligibility
Summary
Francis Preston testified that use of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title III funds for library operations lacks statutory authority and requested suspension of expenditures, an independent audit, and recovery of funds (he cited $217,700). Judge Hamsher said county counsel had reviewed the funds and the court believed the expenditures were qualified.
Francis Preston provided the sole recorded public testimony opposing formation of a Grant County Library District, arguing the county had improperly used Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title III funds to support library operations.
Preston told the court that Title III funds are restricted by Congress to emergency services and wildfire-related purposes and asserted that using those funds for general library services lacks statutory authority. He requested immediate suspension of further Title III expenditures for the library, an independent audit and federal review, and recovery of any improperly spent funds. Preston’s testimony cited that the library’s temporary operation and district-formation effort had been dependent on approximately $217,700 in SRS Title III funds.
Judge Hamsher responded that he believed the court and county counsel had reviewed the funding and determined the expenditures qualified for the intended purpose. The minutes record Hamsher’s statement but do not include a legal opinion or an external audit. The court proceeded to read and approve Order 2026-03 to put the formation question before voters.
