Former Supervisor Carter One of Two Citizens Questioning Current Member’s Understanding or Motive on Library Issues

Prior to getting to an Action Agenda — see related story — with three public hearings scheduled on Conditional Use Permit applications, including the broad-scoped SouthFork RiverSide Campground on approximately 143 acres at 204 Russ Johnson Road off Rivermont Drive in the Fork District’s Wayland subdivision (vote tabled to Nov. 19), the Warren County Board of Supervisors were fact-checked by three Public Comments speakers on non-agenda items.

The first two of those three speakers, former Happy Creek Supervisor (2002 to 2021) Tony Carter and Kelsey Lawrence, addressed Samuels Public Library issues, particularly as to fact-checking first-term North River Supervisor Richard Jamieson on some of his previous statements or non-statements on library-related matters.

Carter’s attention was likely stimulated by Jamieson’s October 29 joint work session with library officials comment calling a previous supervisor’s lineup that Carter was a part of having committed “an unbelievable fiduciary failure” and even potential “fiduciary malfeasance” for its 2011 decision to purchase the former library building on Villa Avenue for a price cited at $550,000 plus related expenses, as opposed to continuing with a 20-year lease “for free” with the library dating from 2008 through 2028.

Former five-term Supervisor Tony Carter explained the County’s decision to abort a 20-year ‘for free’ lease on the Villa Ave. former site of Samuels Public Library to purchase and renovate what is now the Villa Avenue Community Center at a total cost of $1.2 million. The building is currently tax assessed at $2.1 million, a $900,000 to the plus return on the County investment. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Whose “fiduciary malfeasance”?

In fact, Carter opened his comments on that topic. He presented a detailed account, including background on evolving community physical plant needs regarding a Community Center at the time; purchase price ($550,102), renovation expenses ($1,172,456 minus $691,000 in grants for a total renovation cost to the County of $481,456), and expansion of the parking lot ($168,000). Carter cited a “total cost to the County right at $1.2 million dollars.”

Oh, by the way — Carter then pointed out that: “The current tax assessment for this building is $2.1 million dollars.” A little quick math indicates that is a plus $900,000 to the County investment. And remember, the 20-year free-rental lease Supervisor Jamieson was so enamored of didn’t expire until 2028. We’ll check back in four years and see what the assessment is then.

“In my opinion, and hopefully you’ll agree, that this was not only a good investment in the property, but a good investment for the community in having a great multi-use community center for our citizens,” Carter told the current supervisors of the first item he addressed.

Next up by Carter was the Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) the Board of Supervisors worked out with Samuels Public Library, through committee research and discussion he pointed out, in November of 2017. That MOA, which expired on June 30, 2021, apparently without a County-Library renewal discussion, reflected the 2017 sitting supervisors agreement that the community’s public library was best served with its Board of Trustees, rather than the County or a third party, overseeing library operations. Carter observed that with the County owning the current building the library occupies, “It seems that it is in the best interest of the taxpayers too, for the County to be responsible for major issues in order to protect this asset.

“Would you expect a renter to cover major upkeep like roof repairs, HVAC replacement, etc.? … I know you have negotiated a new MOA, but I am unsure where the maintenance (expense coverage) lies,” Carter observed.

After 20 years as an elected county official, now private citizen Tony Carter urged the current county supervisors to continue the dialogue reflected in the Oct. 29 Joint Work Session with Samuels Public Library officials with an open mind in order to better understand the processes at play in their lease agreement with the current Virginia Library of the Year.

Carter, who in 2021 chose not to run for re-election after 20 years (five terms as a supervisor), also challenged Jamieson’s joint work session assertion that currently the county’s taxpayers have no oversight in the library’s budget which their tax dollars largely fund operationally. “I would respectfully disagree,” Carter began.

“The library and other non-profit organizations, as well as County departments, go through the budget process … to the Board of Supervisors and you have the opportunity to ask questions and make changes as needed … In addition, you hold a public hearing before adopting the budget. This is an opportunity for any citizen to come and comment on any aspect of the budget. So, it seems to me that the taxpayer does have a chance to offer their input.”

Before his three-minute time limit expired, Carter addressed another October 29 joint work session topic, the library’s million-dollar endowment/rainy day fund. As noted by Library Trustee President Melody Hotek on October 29, that endowment fund is assembled from a combination of patron donations, grants, and bequests in support of the library’s “long-term stability” and is not funded by County tax revenue.

“The County has a rainy day fund as well, it is called the unassigned fund balance and as of the most recent audit, it showed over $18 million sitting there,” Carter observed, adding, “So, having a reserve makes sense to have a set aside for unexpected expenditures, not to be used for operating costs” as some current supervisors seem to have suggested a preference for by the library.

In closing, Carter thanked the supervisors for having their October 29 joint work session with library officials to discuss the upcoming library budget. “Your work session with the library is a great example of continued communication. While both parties may not always agree, things can be worked out for the best interests of our community,” he said in urging additional dialogue and expanded mutual understanding of the involved variables.

Another perspective

Following Carter’s comments Samuels Library supporter Kelsey Lawrence took advantage of her turn to offer input on the status of the board’s interaction with Virginia’s current statewide Library of the Year. Samuels is also the second-longest tenured public library in the state, having received its State Charter in 1799.

“Well, here we are again. It’s almost like we have nothing better to do than target the most celebrated library in Virginia,” Lawrence began acknowledging Samuels current State Library of the Year status. Like Carter, she addressed the importance and normalcy of endowments as rainy-day funds. “Libraries with strong endowments aren’t just the norm, they’re a necessity. Take Handley Regional Library in Winchester, with a foundation fund of $4 million. That’s not mismanagement, it’s called ensuring the future,” Lawrence asserted.

“So, let’s not pretend Samuels Library is playing fast and loose with funds, it’s following a time-tested path to sustainability,” she continued, observing, “And yes, part of that endowment came from the sell of the (Villa Ave.) community center. But you know what? That sounds like a win-win for me. The community has both a center and a library with an endowment.”

Lawrence also reiterated what she has said before about her belief that several supervisors are not motivated by financial issues, but rather a vested interest in last year’s public effort to censor some library content related to LGBTQ+ themes and manuever to acquire a measure of operational control of the community’s public library.

“Let’s face it, this isn’t about money, it’s about control. You want to control what people can read and can’t read in this community. But that’s not your role, and it’s certainly not the duty you were elected to uphold,” Lawrence said of support of a minority of citizens’ philosophical, social, or religious agendas.

“You were elected to serve all of us,” she continued, “Yes, even those of us who believe in a library where everyone can freely access information … This library serves every person in the community, not just those who align with your personal views.

Kelsey Lawrence, a strong vocal supporter of Samuels Public Library, challenged all the supervisors to govern for all the county’s citizens, not just a minority who share their social, philosophical, or religious agendas.

“So, here’s the bottom line: Leave the library alone,” Lawrence said in closing, “Our community deserves a place where knowledge isn’t under attack; where people can choose what they read to their children, and where our children and neighbors don’t have their options dictated by a select few.”

Third Public Comments speaker Linda McDonough addressed another topic, defining what she termed a “word salad” of “tax” versus “special tax” or “fees” related to Sanitary Districts, real estate, and real estate transactions therein, and how those variously worded designations are calculated. It is an issue she said she has been asking questions about for three to four years without a satisfactory answer from county officials.

See all the board discussion and votes in the LINKED County video. Royal Examiner will publish a second story on the board’s other business, its Action and Consent Agendas, Closed Meeting topics, and special recognitions tomorrow.

Click here to watch the November 6,  2024 Board of Supervisors Meeting.