The Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen is likely to take up an ordinance in February that would clarify the governance of the Mosheim Public Library.
A framework for the governance of the library was never formally established when the library was formed in the 1980s according to Mosheim officials, leading to miscommunications and a lack of clarity in the library’s operations at times. The ordinance likely to be considered by the Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen would bring library operations in line with Tennessee Code Annotated guidance. Currently, the Town of Mosheim’s municipal code does not recognized the existence of a library board, although one has existed for years.
Under the ordinance, the Mosheim Library Board would be formally established and would direct all affairs and operations of the library including personnel. The Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen would have the sole authority to appoint members to the seven person library board, and library accounts would be audited annually under the supervision of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. A member of the Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen would also serve as a member of the library board. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen would continue to provide funding to the library.
The ordinance would allow the library to maintain access to Tennessee regional and state library materials and services. Members of the Board of Mayor and Alderman said Thursday night that they felt the library was important to the community, and wanted it to run smoothly. Alderman Marc Campbell currently serves on the library board and said he felt the town should continue to support the library.
Mosheim Alderman James Foshie said Thursday night during the Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting that there was a “high probability” that the town’s governing board would consider the library ordinance on first reading in February.
The ordinance discussed Thursday would be subject to two readings and a public hearing before becoming finalized.
In other business, the Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a bill rounding policy to deal with possible penny shortages now that the United States is no longer minting pennies.
According the policy, if customers are unable to pay the exact amount due on their bills to the town, the total amount on the bill will be rounded down to the nearest five-cent denomination. Customers who pay the rounded amount will have their bill considered paid on time with no penalty, and the unpaid balance resulting from the rounding process will be carried over and added to the customer’s bill for the following month. The policy follows state guidance released this week according to town officials.
