MINUTES

CLERMONT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MAY 18, 2026

MIAMI TOWNSHIP BRANCH

Present: Jennifer Doss, Ernie Ramos, Mary Jo Waite, Judith Kocica, Laurie Schlueter

Staff: Chris Wick, Andrea Brofft, Melanie Smithey, Debbie Williams, Lynn Baird, Dot Crane, Ed Jolley

Absent: Edwin Humphrey, Katie Bock

Guests: Heather Arling, Brad Ruwe

Ms. Doss called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Ms. Doss, here; Mr. Ramos, here; Ms. Waite, here; Ms. Kocica, here; Mr. Humphrey, absent; Ms. Bock, absent; Ms. Schlueter, here.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

APRIL 20 MINUTES:

Motion by Ms. Schlueter, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the April 20, 2026, Board meeting minutes. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Waite abstained. Motion was adopted.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

None.

Guest Discussion: Heather Arling from Bradley Payne and Brad Ruwe from Dinsmore and Shohl discussed the Miami Township facility defeasance. Ms. Arling updated the schedule to maximize the funds. The funds will be sent to the escrow agent on Sept. 2. Mr. Ruwe clarified details on the 90-day escrow deadline.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve Resolution 2026-16: Defeasance Resolution. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

GET TO KNOW THE LIBRARY: Information Services

Ms. Baird gave a presentation on the Information Services Department at Clermont County Public Library.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT:

Ms. Smithey presented the April Financial Reports. Short discussion ensued, confirming details in the check register.

Ms. Williams presented the Fiscal Office report. Ms. Smithey assisted with the Human Resources interviews for a Human Resources Assistant. The Fiscal Office participated in the recent Public Services meeting and reviewed best practices for the branches. The Fiscal Office is currently preparing for the 2025 audit. Ms. Smithey attended a recent OLC session regarding Library funding. Regarding the proposed bill to eliminate property taxes in Ohio, CCPL would lose 31.8% of its funding should the bill pass.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve the April 2026 Financial Report. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Mr. Ramos, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve the April 2026 bills paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve the April 2026 bill (Anthem) paid. All present were in favor, none opposed. Ms. Doss abstained. Motion was adopted.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

Ms. Brofft noted the update from OLC re: the proposed bill to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. She reviewed the Annual Report for 2025, which saw year over year increases in Library card registrations and digital circulation. She discussed Library IQ as the new tool for presenting Library metrics. CCPL also has an updated organizational chart. Ms. Wick noted there should be a correction on the chart. The position of HR Assistant is an HR Specialist. 

Motion by Ms. Schlueter, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve the chart as corrected. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted. The chart is now effective and going forward will be reviewed annually each year in December.

Mr. Jolley gave an update on the progress of the Bethel Branch Roof Repair.

Ms. Wick discussed frustrations with Rapido and Search Ohio in libraries across the state.

OLD BUSINESS:

Director Appointment. Ms. Doss thanked Ms. Wick for her service as Director. Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Mr. Ramos, to approve Ms. Brofft’s appointment as Director, at a salary of $110,000 per year [effective June 1, 2026]. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Waite, to approve Resolution 2026-14: Acceptance of Gifts to the Library, donations as listed. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Waite, seconded by Ms. Schlueter, to approve Resolution 2026-15: Disposal of Unneeded or Obsolete Library Inventory. Roll call vote: Ms. Doss, yes; Mr. Ramos, yes; Ms. Waite, yes; Ms. Kocica, yes; Ms. Schlueter, yes. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

Motion by Ms. Kocica, seconded by Ms. Waite, to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 pm. All present were in favor, none opposed. The motion was adopted.

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Board President Board Secretary

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