Bolivar council presses county for signed library operating agreement, warns of options if unresolved

Bolivar officials on April 13 reviewed a multi‑year dispute with Hardman County over the library’s operating agreement and employee compensation, and directed city staff to send a fresh, firm letter asking the county to sign the previously negotiated terms.

The city attorney reviewed the history the council recited: an agreement was drafted after productive meetings more than once in recent years but the county never executed the written contract. “We sent them a demand letter requesting a specific agreement,” the city attorney summarized for the council, and he said the city currently pays 48 percent of operating costs while the county pays 52 percent under the maintenance‑of‑effort arrangement.

Council members described the central point of contention as pay parity. Council members noted that city payroll practices result in some full‑time library employees receiving higher wages, bonuses and longevity checks than comparable county employees and that, in some cases, temporary summer workers or part‑time hires can earn pay rates that approach or exceed those of full‑time library staff. Council members said that mismatch has created persistent frustration and administrative complications.

No formal changes to library operations were made at the meeting. Instead the council instructed staff and the city attorney to send another letter to Hardman County outlining the city’s expectation that a signed agreement be in place and inviting county officials to the next council meeting to resolve outstanding issues. The council recorded that if the agreement is not executed before the next meeting, the council will consider options — including, as one member put it during debate, reviewing whether continued funding or service arrangements can remain as‑is — but council members also stressed they were not aiming to close the library.

Becky, the library’s on‑site staff representative who provided the monthly statistics, thanked the council and described ongoing service activity while councilmembers debated next steps. Council members repeatedly emphasized they value the library’s services and do not want a shutdown; their stated goal is to obtain a signed, stable intergovernmental agreement that clarifies compensation, billing and authority over day‑to‑day operations.

What’s next: City staff will draft and send the new letter and the council expects to revisit the issue at its next scheduled meeting if the county does not sign a final agreement beforehand.