MY TURN: Republics can be raucous

Whether television, movies or actual life, courtroom drama often centers upon differing perceptions. Witnesses may see things differently, despite viewing the same scene. Real life often has a similar effect and can be just as dramatic. 

I’ve attended and watched videos of the same Community Library Network (CLN) Board meetings which Pat Raffee excoriated in a Feb. 13 My Turn, but I have a completely different perception. Here’s mine.

Last spring, Trustees Plass and Hanley campaigned on addressing sexually explicit books for minors, fiscal responsibility and transparency. Their tenure began having to spend the summer meetings tackling the director’s unbalanced budget proposal. 

Additionally, according to a 2022 compensation study, employee wages needed to be raised to be competitive. The new board deliberated these issues over several meetings, voted to raise staff wages and not raise property taxes. It was contentious and time-consuming, but with worthwhile outcomes. 

Through last summer, while continuing to work on the budget, the board also wedged-in discussions to amend the Materials Selection Policy — as they had committed to the voters. Additional meetings were held because the board recognized the importance of maintaining this momentum. 

To clarify, the board does not select or de-select specific materials from the library collection. Instead, they are responsible for the materials policy which guides selections. Revising those policies has significant and potentially litigious implications, so the conversations have been lengthy. Unsurprisingly, there is clear disagreement among the board, director and assistant director regarding policy revisions, so although time-consuming, it’s important to hear the various perspectives.

What Ms. Raffee did not mention are a few relevant obstacles that have plagued the last several months of board meetings. 

For example, the board had asked since August 2023 for new insurance quotes due to the unexpected drop in liability coverage from $3M to $500k by ICRMP, the existing government-run insurer. The library’s director had only provided two of the three requested quotes, and neither included full coverage option. This resulted in missed deadlines and having to renew with ICRMP’s reduced liability coverage. After six months of board requests, a full coverage quote was obtained, enabling the board to meet their statutory duty to fully insure the district.

Another source of prolonged contention has been the board’s multiple requests for periodic materials purchase lists. CLN is Idaho's second largest library consortium. As fiduciaries for CLN’s formidable $8.4 million annual budget, of which $332,000 is allocated to new materials acquisition, having insight into what is purchased is wholly within the purview of library trustees.

Regarding the accusation that the board majority “manipulated” or is attempting to “micromanage” anything. To the contrary, they inquire, share input, state positions, and provide feedback. Then the entire board votes. That’s exactly what they’re tasked to do. 

With the emergency that January’s deep freeze and resulting floods has introduced, progress on the materials revisions has stalled again. Addressing the flood fallout is significant because it impacts staff employment, public inconvenience, costly and protracted restoration and has insurance implications. All these issues are within the scope of trustee responsibility. Would undebated unanimous agreement on these weighty issues be easier? Sure, but the easiest solutions aren’t inherently the best. 

As to criticism of the trustees for reading pre-prepared remarks, I admire elected officials who put forethought into their position and take the time to write it out to be concise and clear. That’s respectful to their cohorts and the public. Does this mean they’re not interested in others’ input? Of course not.

Chair Ottosen has the challenging responsibility of keeping the meeting flowing and adjourning on time — no small task when there are five trustees, three staff, a treasurer and an attorney offering input. That sometimes entails concluding an agenda item when the allotted time has passed. If closure isn’t achieved, the discussion is tabled which is standard operating procedure for civic meetings.

Ms. Raffee criticizes the board majority that they “rarely cooperate.” It’s absurd to expect them to be in lockstep. They would be accused of collusion if they were. Each trustee brings a unique background, a distinctive communication style, and their own viewpoint. So, their perspectives vary. Republics are boisterous and sometimes tense, but they are the best political construct — even when there’s robust disagreement. 

I do agree with Ms. Raffee on one thing: if you are unable to attend any of these meetings, watch a few and judge for yourself. Then, you needn’t rely on her turn or my turn of events. YouTube/CommunityLibraryNetwork

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Marianna Cochran is a Rathdrum resident.