Sidney Public Library

Special Board Meeting

Date: 9/24/2025

Meeting Start Time: 5:00 pm

Meeting Finish Time: 5:48 pm

Board Members Present:

Tanya Lewis, Nancy Sanders, Marva Ellwanger, Rebecah Propst

Others Present: 

Jimie Ridnour, Kristen Breining

Meeting Called to Order At: 5:00 PM by Tanya Lewis

Affidavit of Publication in the Library foyer, City of Sidney building bulletin board, Post Office bulletin board.

Acknowledgement of Open Meetings Act

Comments from the public: None

Unfinished Business:

Tanya: No unfinished business

New Business: 

  • Special session convened to address immediate HVAC repair needs for unit nearest the front door to the library.
    • 2 bids received:
      • Day & Night Plumbing & Heating, LLC for $5,500
        • $4,500 for VFD & Board replacement
      • Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating for $6,014
    • Tanya says that both bids are similar pricing with the same issues mentioned. 
    • Jimie says that each company uses different suppliers. Gering will also take off the additional estimate fee if chosen. Jimie says the communication was clearer with Gering and has made a recommendation to go with them.
    • Rebecah motions to approve moving forward with Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating. Nancy seconds. Unanimous approval. 
  • Library budget for 2026
    • Jimie spoke with Josh Hanson regarding rectifying the budget issue for the library for 2026. Jimie said that Josh said that he is unable to change the library’s budget at this point as it has already been finalized but will present a letter to the city council and the Library Board acknowledging errors made by the City of Sidney including not involving the library board in the 2026 city budget planning process. 
    • Tanya would like to write a letter as well to the city council addressing the errors made by the City of Sidney along with a formal grievance to include the library board’s disapproval of the 2026 budget.
    • Rebecah and Tanya would like to address the budget process with the city and revise the library board’s bylaws and policies to be done at a future board meeting.
    • Tanya reviewed $45,000 in library budget cuts for the 2026 fiscal year to begin October 1, 2025. Budget cuts include:
      • $822 from employee annual bonus
      • $800 from Bookmobile gas & oil
      • $35,000 from Maintenance building & structure (includes 2025 $30,000 allocated to library for parking lot construction)
      • $2,000 from vehicle maintenance
      • $3,350 from books & magazines
      • $700 from shipping/freight
      • $4,500 from library automation
      • $500 from postage
  • No closed session

Adjournment and date of the next board meeting: Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. 

Meeting adjourned 5:48pm