Special Town Board Meeting with the Town Hall Library Board — Minutes

Page 1 of 2 Town of Merton Town Hall W314 N7624 Hwy 83, North Lake, WI 53064 March 10, 2025 Minutes of Special Joint Meeting, Merton Town Board with the Town Hall Library Board Present: Chairman Klink, Supervisors Olson, Fleming and Morris, and Clerk Hann. Library Director Iyengar, Library Board Members Cull, Dolphin, Mesenbrink, Rogers-Blum, Ruck and Stover Absent: Town Supervisor Herrick and Library Board Member Boettcher. Also, in attendance: • Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Klink 5 pm. • Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Klink. Chairman Klink thanked the Library Board for Meeting and passed sheets reviewing the levy limits and the library budget. Library Board Member Mesenbrink had questions on information on the website verses what was handed out. Clerk Hann explained that the State of Wisconsin limits how much the Town of Merton can raise the levy. The two options are to ask a referendum question to the voters to raise the levy or borrow money for capital projects such as roads, equipment, building repairs, etc. Discussion on Town of Merton Levy Limits and Calculations from the State. Clerk Hann reviewed the Levy Worksheet showing how much the Town of Merton can increase the levy according the State of Wisconsin. Discussion followed showing how much of the Operating Tax Levy goes to the Town Hall Library and much is Left for the General Budget to fund the Town Hall, Highway and Public Safety. Discussion of Budgets and Management of Tax Payers Funds and Funding from other Sources. Clerk Hann reviewed the next sheet of the actual revenue and the actual expenses that the Town Hall Library had from 2019 to 2024 and the funds not spent. Chairman Klink said these funds are for something unexpected. Chairman Klink explained that if the Library Board knows something is coming up like major repairs to the library building then the Library Board would work with the Town Board at other ways to cover those expenses in the Library Budget. Chairman Klink stated the Town Board is not closing the Town Hall Library and has no attention to close the Town Hall Library. Supervisor Morris explained that in the past capital improvements for the library were put in the budget. Clerk Hann talked about the need for a capital plan for the library building. Library Board Member Mesenbrink asked who pays for expenses of the library building. Chairman Klink stated the Library Board runs and manages the library building and those expenses are part of the library budget. The town would help the library board on their budget for those capital projects. Discussion followed on borrowing for capital projects. Library Board Member Mesenbrink asked what services that the DPW provides to the library building because other municipal library’s receive services from them. Chairman Klink stated that Page 2 of 2 most libraries are located in cities and villages that have more staffing. The Town of Merton does not have the staffing to service the library for snow plowing and lawn mowing, etc. Chairman Klink stated that is why it is important for both boards to meet and work on the budgeting process together. Mesenbrink asked for an explanation on what the Library is paying for under town overhead. Supervisor Morris stated that the library is paying for payroll services, accounting programing, bill paying and the audit because the library board can not do that. Clerk Hann stated the levy is split between the library and everyone else because of the requirements of the Department of Public Instruction for library funding. Library Board Member Rogers-Blum thank the Town Board for reaching out for this meeting. Chairman Klink appreciated the Library Boards Members coming to this meeting and talking together. Library Board Member Rogers-Blum stated that it sounds like the Library Board should have some sort of roof assessment done because it seems like the roof is always leaking and build that into the budget. Chairman Klink appreciated everyone getting together. Adjourn - A motion to adjourn was made by Fleming/Morris. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:03 pm. Respectfully Submitted Donna Hann, Town Clerk