A message to residents of the Fort Myers Beach Library District from the Library District Board of Directors
In recent months, you may have read or heard conflicting or confusing allegations about the library expansion project or the library district itself. The cause is a small group of people who object to the library expansion project, which is now underway, as well as the involvement of the Town of Fort Myers Beach government, which continues to perpetuate misinformation while delving, without jurisdiction, into the affairs of the library.
The Library Board of Directors has declined to engage with these people in the public media, instead making information available through regular public meetings, our website and our printed and online Frequently Asked Questions (www.fmb.lib.fl.us/FAQ.htm). We also respond directly to individual inquiries. However, following the Town Council’s workshop on April 4, when a number of false allegations were made, we are compelled to address the most egregious of these to set the record straight.
ALLEGATION: The Library District has not filed their facilities report as required in FL Statute 189. Version 2: The Library did file their facilities report but it was inadequate.
THE TRUTH: The facilities report is made to Lee County, with a courtesy copy going to the Town. The report was filed with the County as soon as we learned it was required, and the Town received their copy at that time. The county never had a problem with the report. Although the Town complains in the media about the report, they have never contacted the Library with specifics about what they find inadequate.
ALLEGATION: The Library District overstated line items in its annual budget and banked the extra money to pay for the expansion project.
THE TRUTH: After paying off the current building, then purchasing and paying off the land next door, a Library Construction Fund was established to save money for the expansion project. The fund was built with tax dollars, donations, and every dollar of the operating budget that was saved through volunteer efforts and thrift measures. Each year, the library’s accounting books are examined by an independent auditing firm. Our accounting has consistently been found to be accurate and beyond reproach. Further, we have been able to fully fund the expansion project without ever raising the district’s millage rate beyond .5989, far less than the millage rates of other taxing districts. We did this by responsibly saving over a long period of time before starting the project, instead of jumping into it, then spiking taxes to cover the resulting debt.
ALLEGATION: The Library District has ignored requests for public information. Version 2: Citizens are asking good questions and not getting answers.
THE TRUTH: Every public information request has been filled except for Town Attorney Jim Humphrey’s request, which is on hold pending the outcome of a conflict of interest investigation. Sometimes people want to discuss opinions rather than public information and supportable facts. These inquiries are addressed by library board members and staff through phone or face-to-face conversations. Your questions are always welcome, and if you believe yours hasn’t been answered, please contact President Katie Corning at 463-7822.
ALLEGATION: The Library Board of Directors has ignored the Town’s invitation to hold their meetings in Council Chambers.
THE TRUTH: Our first direct invitation was an email from the Mayor to the Library Board President on April 10, 2011. However, the Board had already decided, at their January meeting, not to consider the use of the Town’s facilities until (a) the Town has formally acknowledged that it has no ongoing jurisdiction over the Library District, and (b) the Town has established a better and non-confrontational working relationship with the Library District.
ALLEGATION: The Town has a fiduciary or an oversight responsibility with regard to the library.
THE TRUTH: The Town’s jurisdiction is limited to matters of building code and permits. They are a separate government entity and have nothing to do with the budget, policies or operations of the library. We have met the town’s requirements and received the permits necessary to begin our expansion project, which is now underway. We value good relations with our fellow taxing districts and are even now in the process of planning the first biannual event to encourage mutual efforts and support among the various taxing districts and other interested parties on the island and within our district. But we wouldn’t dream of telling the Town how to run its business and we think they should stay out of ours.
Please take a look at www.TheNewBeachLibrary.com for additional information as well as photos and floor plans of the library expansion project and recent ground breaking.
Your Library District Board of Directors,
Katie Corning, Karen Swanbeck, Sallie Seabury, Judy FitzSimons, Lorrie Wolf, Debbie Whitehead and Mark LaFave