(A) The city-county Carnegie Public Library was officially created in accord with the MCA Title 22, Chapter 1, part 7 and MCA § 22-1-303 by the governing bodies of both the county and the city under the provision of the state laws relating to public libraries and an inter-local library contract.
(B) The Library Board of Trustees was appointed and made responsible for the oversight and direction of the library in accord with MCA §§ 22-1-308 and 22-1-309.
(C) The Library Board of Trustees is entrusted to ensure that the residents of the library service area are provided access to quality library services and resources that will meet both current and future needs.
(D) MCA § 22-1-305 provides as follows: Library Depreciation Reserve Fund authorized. The governing body of any city or county or a combination of city and county in the state may establish a Library Depreciation Reserve Fund for the replacement and acquisition of property, capital improvements, and equipment necessary to maintain and improve city, county, or city-county library services.
(E) On April 9, 2019, the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees voted to request establishment of a Library Depreciation Reserve Fund.
(F) On May 3, 2019, the County Commissioners, by letter of endorsement, approved establishment of a Library Depreciation Reserve Fund.
(G) On June 3, 2019, the City Council met at a lawfully noticed public meeting and determined that creating such a reserve fund provides sound fiscal management of library funds.
(H) The city does establish a Library Depreciation Reserve Fund for the Carnegie Public Library under MCA § 22-1-305.
(I) The Library Depreciation Fund will be managed and subject to audit controls in a similar manner as other funds under the control and authority of the Library Board of Trustees so long as such actions do not restrict the purposes for which the Fund was established.
(Res. 973, passed 5-5-2019)