Sanibel library board sets tentative millage rate, more
The Sanibel Public Library District’s board approved the not-to-exceed millage rate for fiscal year 2023-24 at its meeting, as well as filled an open seat and heard the executive director is retiring.
On July 27, the district’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously 6-0 to adopt a tentative millage rate of 0.6260 mills, which equals to a 50.84% increase over the current year’s rate of 0.4150 mills.
The millage rate can be lowered during the upcoming budget process but not raised.
Chair Nicole McHale explained that until the board has a better idea of the upcoming year’s budget, including insurance reimbursements from the hurricane, starting out high would likely be better.
“We can always come down,” she said.
Treasurer Sandra Zahorchak agreed, pointing out that the district has a long track record of being conservative in its budgeting, but there were some unknowns that remained as of the meeting.
“I think we would be irresponsible to start with anything lower,” she said. “I’m comfortable with that for now.”
Vice Chair Linda Uhler added that the Sanibel Public Library Foundation has voiced interest in assisting with funding, plus funds could be reallocated from some projects not anticipated to occur.
The board also set its budget hearings, with the first taking place on Sept. 5 at 5:01 p.m.
Also during the meeting, the board held another election to try to fill a vacated seat.
The application process first opened in April because former Commissioner Barbara Ruben had moved off island and thus could no longer serve. The appointee would fill the remainder of her term to 2024.
At April’s meeting, the board appointed Laura Gales — one of six candidates to apply — in a majority vote. However, unforeseen circumstances later prevented her from being able to accept the position.
The board reopened the process, but the May vote resulted in a four-way tie and no appointment.
Last week, five candidates were up for consideration — Leslie Cimino, Matthew Gaudreau, Shelley Greggs, Linda Hines and Patricia Norton. The board voted by ballot and Greggs came out on top.
She received three votes, Hines earned two and Gaudreau got one, according to library staff.
A motion to appoint Greggs to the open seat was approved in a 6-0 vote.
Before the election, Commissioner Melanie Congress asked if there would be an issue with Greggs serving if appointed. Greggs was recently chosen to serve as a board member for Community Housing and Resources and McHale is CHR’s executive director. The library’s attorney did not see a conflict.
Following the vote, McHale voiced the board’s appreciation for those who applied.
“We want to thank everybody in the community for your interest and your involvement,” she said. “We hope that you continue to support the library.”
Also at the meeting, McHale reported that library Executive Director Margaret Mohundro had submitted her resignation letter, effective Aug. 2. She read the letter out loud for the others, in which Mohundro spoke of ongoing medical issues that have made staying in her position not possible.
“It is imperative that I focus on my personal health and family as I continue to recover at home,” Mohundro wrote.
She noted that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as executive director for the past 16 years.
“We wish Margaret all the best,” McHale said.
“She has been instrumental in the success of the library,” she added, citing the expert staffing under Mohundro’s leadership, the Your Library Reimagined renovation project, the facility being a top ranking library in Florida for multiple years now, the creation of the annual Author Series and more.
“There’s just so many more accomplishments,” McHale said. “We are sad to see her go.”
The library’s attorney walked the board through the process of accepting Mohundro’s resignation. She reported that no official motion is required to accept the letter. However, it was submitted with two weeks’ notice per the employee handbook, while Mohundro’s contract requires at least 45 days’ notice.
She explained that it should have been submitted per her contact for her to receive her benefits.
“So there’s a question as to whether she’s given proper notice,” she told the board. “So that’s something you’ll have to decide.”
During the discussion that followed, library staff provided the board with the details of Mohundro’s payout benefits, including unused vacation and floating holiday hours. For severance pay, the library’s attorney reported that the board is not required by the contract to provide that, but it can if it wishes.
The board eventually came to a consensus on paying her unused vacation hours — as was done for other recent retirees — and floating holiday hours, as had been done in the past. Rather than giving her severance pay, it opted to offer her a consulting contact at her hourly rate to help with the transition.
A motion to approve the separation agreement with the discussed changes was approved 6-0.
The board also voiced interest in doing something for Mohundro if she is able to attend.
“She wanted to attend the meeting today, but she couldn’t,” McHale said.
In terms of moving forward with the transition process, the board agreed upon having staffer Duane Shaffer — who has been serving as acting executive director — promoted to the role of interim.
“Anything I can do,” he said of staying in the administrative role to assist.