Audit determines library finances are in order

The library's checkbook is in order and construction on its new building is progressing and on schedule.

Taylor County Public Library Board members met in special session last Thursday, Nov. 15, to discuss a recent audit of the library's books, progress of the construction of the new library and more.

Donnie Fryman of Welch & Co. CPAs PLC of Georgetown presented the library's audit report of finances ending June 30.

As a special taxing district, Fryman said, the upkeep of the finances falls to staff members.

The audit report, he said, shows that the library's financial records are being done correctly, without any instances of non-compliance to state regulations.

The library's net assets at the end of the 2011-2012 fiscal year, Fryman said, were $2,049,369.

The library has very few liabilities, he said, and its revenue increased and was over the budgeted projection.

Excess revenue for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to the audit, topped out at $359,478. A little more than $250,000 was projected.

Fryman said library expenses were down last fiscal year and all internal control policies are being followed.

"Look[s] good all around," Fryman said. "With what you have in place, it seems to be working well."

Board members unanimously approved the audit report. The report will soon be posted on the library's website at www.taylorcountypubliclibrary.org.

Construction Update

Construction of the new Taylor County Library, which will be located at the former Gabehart Lumber Co. building on East Broadway, is still under way and on track for completion later this year or early next year.

Pieter De Grez, vice president of Blevins Construction Co., the company charged with managing the project, told Board members that drywall and insulation work should be complete soon.

Something for discussion, De Grez said, is designing the new parking lot.

De Grez and Barry Blevins, president of Blevins Construction Co., presented three options for Board members to review.

After discussion, Board members voted to go with an option that includes curbing around the parking lot, bumper blocks to mark parking spaces and concrete instead of asphalt to finish the lot's surface.

In all, the parking lot project will cost about $83,000, Blevins said. The option includes about 30 parking spots. The current parking lot has 10.

Concrete adds about $20,000 to the cost, Blevins said, but will likely last longer than asphalt. Using asphalt could delay finishing of the lot until next year.

Blevins said the parking lot plans don't include topsoil and landscaping, both which will need to be done. He said local school systems could take on those projects as community service, if they are willing.

The cost to convert the Gabehart Lumber Co. space is estimated at $1 million.

Also at the Meeting:

• In her monthly report, Director Julia Turpin said circulation in October was down, though renewals were up about 300 percent. Program attendance has increased.

Turpin said the library is working to purchase its own e-books to have available for its patrons, instead of having to share them with other libraries, which can make waiting lists very long.

She said the search for a new children's librarian is going well. Applications were accepted through last Thursday.

Turpin said a recent news story about special taxing districts paints them poorly, stating that the majority don't follow state auditing rules and other regulations.

She said libraries are one of the most compliant of the special taxing districts. Taylor County's library, she said, has always been compliant.

• The Board had first reading of updated bylaws. The laws hadn't been updated since 1997, Turpin said, and will be reviewed each year, beginning in 2014.

• The monthly treasurer's report was approved. As of Oct. 31, the library's checkbook balance was $95,771.46.

• In her monthly report, Outreach Librarian Bonnie Webster said she read to 714 children in October and had 54 programs.

• The Board will next meet on Monday, Dec. 10 at noon at the library. The meeting is open to the public.