MY TURN: CLN decisions and finances being hidden from the public

The Community Library Network’s trustees are hiding board actions and some critical financial information from the public. Since Chair Rachelle Ottosen, Vice Chair Tom Hanley and Trustee Tim Plass directed staff to simplify board minutes, the uninformative phrase “discussion was held” has appeared repeatedly in official records. Following the resignations of library director Alexa Eccles and trustee Katie Blank, the board has held several executive sessions, with decisions announced as “will take the actions discussed.”

When Hanley moved to appoint Karen Campbell to the vacant trustee position, he claimed no need for questions since he had interviewed her by phone. But neither fellow trustees nor the public had insight into their phone discussions. Campbell leads a local group challenging the separation of church and state by injecting prayers specifically into governmental spaces. That seems relevant. 

Trustees abruptly hired a new library director, a process that usually takes months and includes public involvement. Martin Walters, who starts mid-September, currently directs a single branch library in a New Hampshire town about half the size of Hayden. CLN is among Idaho’s largest library districts, with seven branches.

Walters applied for the CLN director job in 2023. During his visit here last year, Walters reportedly asked almost no questions of staff. He expressed no curiosity about community demographics and didn’t seem interested in how each branch serves unique community needs. The former board of trustees selected Alexa Eccles. Has the current board compared Walters to any other candidates?            

Meanwhile, trustees are neglecting important budget responsibilities now. Moreover, the board seems to be hiding the fact that CLN received more than $500,000 in unexpected state funds this fiscal year. The usual process is for trustees to open the budget, formally accept the unanticipated revenues, and decide where to allocate the funds. Usually, next year’s budget decisions would not begin until after this housekeeping task, but deliberating on FY24 and FY25 budgets together makes sense when fewer than 90 days remain in FY 24. The problem is that trustees are acting as if these funds do not exist.   

The board should consider using part of the half million dollars to increase staff pay and reserve a portion for future wages. These actions align with CLN’s strategic plan, and with public support favoring increased staff pay.  

There are more fiscal facts trustees are concealing: Alexa Eccles’ contract contained payout provisions if the two-year term was not completed. Trustees have neither disclosed these nor their financial arrangements with Walters. Both elements impact CLN’s FY24 finances.      

It is evident that trustees have privately instructed staff on FY25 budget matters. Assistant Director Lindsey Miller-Escarfuller did not mention the $500,000 while describing recommendations to balance the FY25 budget. She talked about filling vacancies with lower-skilled personnel, reducing staff and cutting the number of days branches would be open. How necessary would these ‘recommended’ cuts be in FY25 if trustees applied the $500,000 windfall in FY24 and FY25?

CLN’s board is required by law to discuss all budget elements publicly. Trustees must be more transparent with critical financial details. And with so many unaddressed elements, trustees must schedule more budget meetings in July.    

Library users and community leaders, please object to the trustees’ secretive actions. Insist that all fund sources, amounts and allocation options be discussed in open session, as Idaho Code requires. Email trustees at https://communitylibrary.net/board/#board-contact

Upcoming dates worth noting: 

CLN’s meeting 2 p.m. July 18 at the Post Falls library (public comment is allowed). 

CLN’s budget workshop 2 p.m. July 24 at the Post Falls library.  

CLN’s budget hearing 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Hayden library. Please plan to attend. 

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Pat Raffee was appointed twice by Gov. Butch Otter to the Idaho Commission for Libraries board and learned government budgeting while serving as Kootenai County’s chief deputy clerk. Pat lives in Post Falls.