Act 420: If Brown County, Then Outagamie County

Brown Co. won't rescind library bills to 5 counties.  (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/7/2012)

Supervisor Guy Zima proposes that

Bills to 5 adjacent counties be rescinded

Letters of apology sent

From the Proceedings of Brown County Library Board, 10/18/2012 (reformatted/summarized)

Representatives from Outagamie Waupaca Library System (OWLS) member libraries were present.

• Tasha Saecker, Appleton Public Library’s Assistant Director; 
• Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library’s Director; 
• Tony Wieczorek, Kaukauna Public Library Director 

took turns addressing the Board.   Saecker was also representing Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library’s Director, Beth Carpenter.

Each read a letter, composed by their respective library boards, conveying a mutual message that generally fits into the following 3 options:

Option 1

• If the Brown County Public Library chooses NOT to withdraw its request for reimbursement......
• ...then some Outagamie County public libraries will choose to cut off service to Brown County 
• Walk-in service still allowed
• Checking out and placing holds prohibited

Option 2

• If the Brown County Public Library chooses to withdraw its request for reimbursement
• ...then full service to Brown County residents resumes.

Option 3

• If the Brown County Public Library chooses NOT to withdraw its request for reimbursement, BUT agrees to pay a similar bill sent from Outagamie County....
• ....then full service to Brown County residents resumes..

Collective position of Outagamie County representatives at Brown County board meeting

• Brown County Library fail mto recognize reciprocity, the back and forth of cross-county use
• Brown County Library’s action is legal but not in the best interest of the taxpayers 
• Outagamie County supports the idea of cross-county payments when inequity exists.
• Outagame County believes, in this case, there is no inequity, therefore there is no reason for Brown County to bill them for reimbursement.  
• Brown County Public Library bills Outagamie County for $33,281.
• Circulation at Outagamie County public libraries by Brown Country residents
• 19,616 x $2.87 cost per circulation = .$56,298 x .70 = $39,409

Related post:

No resolution to Outagamie-Brown library dispute.  (12/9/2012)