JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Commissioner Paul Schafer of the Marion County Commission proposed that funding for all major libraries in the county be distributed directly by the County government.
Schafer explained that he recently attended the County Library Board’s latest public meeting, where concerns about the Board’s handling of funds were raised. He noted that the Library Board failed to transfer over $17,000 in allocated funds to Jasper’s Carolyn Stewart Public Library, despite transferring all assets to the library. Instead, the funds were placed in a separate bank account. This led Schafer to propose a resolution that would direct funding for the three major libraries—located in South Pittsburg, Jasper, and Whitwell—straight from the County Commission in equal amounts. Monteagle’s May Justus Memorial Library would continue receiving its designated funding. Under his plan, the Library Board would no longer be responsible for distributing funds, and the County Commission would handle allocation directly.
Chairman Chris Morrison recommended that the Commission consult with the city councils of South Pittsburg, Jasper, and Whitwell before taking any action. He expressed concern about the County imposing funding changes without consent from local city governments. His suggestion was supported by Commissioner Jimmy Cantrell and other members of the Board of Mayor & Commissioners, who agreed that gaining input from city officials was the most appropriate next step.
Library Board member June Grimes stated that Carolyn Stewart Library had been under a Maintenance of Effort (MOE) agreement for 2024–2025 prior to becoming an independent entity. According to Grimes, all funds received during that period were under the financial control of the Library Board. She argued that the $17,000 in question belonged to the Board—not Jasper’s municipal library.
Commissioner Linda Mason pushed back, arguing that the Carolyn Stewart Library had earned those funds and that allocations were issued by the County, not the Library Board.
Jasper Mayor Jason Turner added that the MOE account where the $17,000 was kept had been established five years before the countywide Library Board even existed. Most of the funds in that account came from donations collected since 1972. When the library became independent last year, the Library Board withdrew all remaining funds, leaving Carolyn Stewart Library without financial support from the MOE account and reliant on city funding to remain operational.
Following further debate and discussion, the Commission voted to reach out to the city boards of South Pittsburg and Whitwell to determine their interest in receiving direct County funding and possibly having their libraries become independent. Final action on Schafer’s proposal will be considered after those discussions take place.
