Update

Jamestown (CSi)  At Friday’s Stutsman County budget meeting, the commission voted 3-2 to decrease the 2022 James River Valley Library System budget by $60,000.

Commissioners Cichos, Ova and Morris voted in favor of the cut, Commissioners Klose and Gumke opposed the decrease.

Library System Director Joe Rector, said the budget  cut will eliminate staffing at the Stutsman County Library.  The buidling would continue to be used by the library system for storage of books and supplies.

The Stutsman County library mill rate is not included in  the library mill rate in the City of Jamestown.  Reductions in the mill rate from the cut in the library budget only applies to  Stutsman County property outside the City of Jamestown.

Previously

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutman County Commission met in Special Session Tuesday, August 3,  to discuss further, the proposed James River Valley Library System budget for 2022.

After hearing a presentation  made by County Commissioner, Joan Morris, no decision  was reached.

Morris said the Stutsman County Library duplicates services offered at the nearby Alfred Dickey Public Library.

JRLVS Director, Joe  Rector said the Stutsman County Library offered services not available at the Alfred Dickey Library such as the seed library,  along with an extensive collection of books not duplicated at Alfred Dickey.  He said, those services could not be moved to the Alfred Dickey location because of space constraints.

Morris said she opposed the cost of staffing the Stutsman County Library, and using the space for storage and supplies for the bookmobile. Morris estimated the cost savings to the library system at about $80,00.

JRLVS Director, Joe Rector pointed out that to accomplish Morris’ plan would require laying off one full-time person and reducing hours for two other positions.

Stutsman County Commission,  Chairman, Mark Klose said the discussions on Tuesday were to gather information for making a budget decision.

The Commission will meet again Fri. a.m. Aug. 6  for further discussions.

Previously

Jamestown  (JRVLS)  The James River Valley Library System, Director, Joe Rector has issued a statement, because the Stutsman County Library is facing budget cuts, and  “I want to provide information.”

He said, per the direction from the Stutsman County Commission, the County Library is requesting the same budget as for 2021,.  He pointed out that the JRVLS is not asking for an increase in 2022. Even so, the County Commission has summoned the Library to defend its budget request, and the reason given is as follows:

Rector said, “I would like to talk to them about why that Library [Stutsman County Library] is still open. I’m not really getting a good answer from them.” (Commissioner Joan Morris, July 27 special Commission meeting).

See the video of the meeting in this story at CSiNewsNow.com

The Library’s appointment with the Commission is Tuesday, August 3, around 2:30 pm.