Library committee renews research
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A committee looking into combining the Minot and Ward County libraries revived discussion Tuesday, Sept. 29, after placing the topic on hold in June.
Discussion had paused with the realization a ballot measure asking voters to weigh in on a merger wouldn't be developed in time to get on the Nov. 3 ballot. Committee members requested guidance from the Minot City Council and Ward County Commission and were advised to keep moving forward toward a future ballot measure recommendation.
In discussing an election, the committee largely leaned toward getting a measure on a 2028 regular election ballot due to better turnout, avoiding the cost of a special election and additional time to research a merger.
Minot City Council and committee member Rob Fuller supported a special election despite the estimated $40,000-$50,000 cost. Assuming a $250,000 to $400,000 savings in the first few years by merging the two libraries, the sooner the taxpayers start saving money, the better, he said.
The committee plans to revisit and dig deeper into the financial implications of a merger, looking at outcomes with a combined library operated either under the City of Minot or under Ward County. The committee indicated a desire to see all existing employees retained in the merger, with savings to come through employee attrition over time.
"I think the public perception of a unified, more efficient, more robust library information services program is something to think about, too," Minot City Council and committee member Stephan Podrygula said. "At some point we need to produce some results, and I think gathering good budget information would be helpful. And having the two (library) boards talk about the mechanics, the nuts and bolts, of what would happen, I think, would help reassure people and give the general public a sense that we are working toward greater efficiencies and higher quality services."
Since June, the two libraries have been investigating ways in which they can increase cooperation and reduce duplicative costs. Josh Pikka, Minot Public Library director, said they have identified internal systems that could be melded but were unsuccessful in getting a grant to make the change. He added they also are looking at potential shared procedures for purchases or processing materials.
Minot Library Board and committee member Lisa Olson said the committee needs to be aware that a merger proposal likely will generate some opposition.
"We know that there may be opposition at the city council and county commission level. That's what ended the last library merger discussions. So, we've been tasked to get information and share it back out, but I think we have to go into it with the understanding that we might just get turned down," she said.
Ward County Commissioner and committee chair Ron Merritt said it is important to continue moving toward an election.
"This has come up so many times that it feels like it's time for us to let our citizens weigh in on it," he said.
The committee plans to meet again in January.