Members Present: Kenneth Cheatham, Jennifer Doll, James Leonard, C. Racyne Leskanic, Heather McMullen
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Josh Brickner, Fiscal Officer
President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library elected new officers at their November meeting and will be holding books sales on February 28, May 1-2, July 10-11, and September 25-26, 2026.
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by McMullen, to accept the minutes of the October 2025 Board meeting. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the October 2025 statistics, noting that e-Media is up 35% year-to-date over this time in 2024, with the most significant increase in juvenile circulation, and there were 374 new library card registrations in October.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the October 2025 publicity packet, highlighting several recent and upcoming programs and outreach events.
Donations: Gifts were received from the following individuals in October 2025: Dale Soltis, Assorted Cigams and Barberton memorabilia; Joe Vernacotola, Assorted Barberton City School District records and memorabilia; Sally Weizer, 1946 & 1947 Cigams; Anonymous, $100.00.
Moved by Cheatham, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the donations. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Strategic Plan: Hutchison provided an update on the Strategic Plan and noted that she will provide a final review to the Board at the December meeting.
Other: Hutchison noted the Barberton Christmas Walk would take place on Saturday, November 29th and highlighted the crafts being offered by Library staff in the Spillette meeting room from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for the Barberton Public Library was $91,291.77 for October 2025.
Brickner reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of October 2025, noting the supplemental payments received for the second-half real estate settlement.
A discussion was held on the overall status of the Library’s finances for the remainder of 2025 heading into 2026.
Moved by Leonard, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of October 2025. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Brickner reviewed the Library’s 2026 insurance renewals, noting that health insurance plans were quoted at approximately a 6% decrease and dental at a 4% increase.
Resolution 33-2025 – Moved by McMullen, seconded by Leskanic, for the Library to offer group health care plan Anthem Blue Access Option 52 with Rx Option 7 (Traditional Plan) to those employees who are eligible to participate for the renewal term January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Resolution 34-2025 – Moved by Cheatham, seconded by McMullen, for the Library to offer group health care plan Lumenos Health Savings Account Option 51 with Rx Option 9 to those employees who are eligible to participate for the renewal term January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Resolution 35-2025 – Moved by McMullen, seconded by Leskanic for the Library to offer Anthem Dental Insurance to those employees who are eligible to participate for the renewal term January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Brickner presented the Board with several options for 2026 cost of living wage adjustments, as well as employees’ current salaries.
Moved by McMullen, seconded by Cheatham, to move to executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official at 6:55 p.m. Roll call: Cheatham, aye; Doll, aye; Leonard, aye; Leskanic, aye; McMullen, aye. Brickner and Hutchison left the meeting at 6:56 p.m. Hutchison returned to the meeting at 7:09 p.m. Brickner returned to the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Hutchison left the meeting at 7:18 p.m. and returned at 7:29 p.m. Brickner theft the meeting and Hutchison returned at 7:29 p.m. The meeting returned to regular session and Brickner returned at 7:44 p.m.
Resolution 36-2025 Moved by Cheatham, seconded by Leskanic for the Library to change the job description of the Customer Service Manager position to non-exempt, effective immediately. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Resolution 37-2025 Moved by Leonard, seconded by Leskanic for the Library to change the supervisor of the Facilities Services Manager position to the Director effective January 1, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Resolution 38-2025 Moved by Leonard, seconded by Cheatham for the Library to allow a 2% cost of living wage increase beginning with the pay period that includes January 1, 2025 for all employees employed by the Library as of November 1, 2025. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Resolution 39-2025 Moved by Cheatham, seconded by Leskanic for the Library to allow a 2.5% merit raise increase retroactive to the pay period that includes July 1, 2025 for the Director and Fiscal Officer. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, Leskanic, and McMullen. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Building and Equipment Committee: No meeting was held.
Finance and Audit Committee: No meeting was held.
Marketing Committee: No meeting was held.
Personnel Committee: No meeting was held. A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, December 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Summit County Library Trustees Council: No meeting was held.
Communications and Correspondence
OLC Legislative Update: Hutchison shared information about House Bill 137.
Community Correspondence: Hutchison shared thank you notes from students.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Brickner informed the Board he would be attending a three-day virtual Ohio Grants Summit on December 9-11, 2026.
Brickner shared that the Library is expecting a proposal from Xerox to replace printers and copy machines throughout the building, and the BPL qualifies for new customer pricing through the end of 2025. He will provide the Board with more detailed information ahead of the December meeting.
Moved by Leskanic to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.