The Dolores Public Library District board passed its 2026 budget Tuesday during a three-hour session dominated by simmering tensions over how trustees communicate and govern.
Executive Director Sean Gantt said the district had been refining the budget since October, incorporating final assessed values and recommendations from the finance committee. The board unanimously approved the proposed budget, mill levies and appropriations for next year with little discussion.
Gantt described November as “pretty active” for the library, citing a $15,000 computer overhaul and several adult and child programs. He thanked partners such as the Dolores Rotary Club and noted that adult-program attendance nearly doubled from November 2024, reaching 283 visitors.
“I dare other libraries with this budget and this staff to get those numbers,” Gantt said at the Monday meeting.
While the library was busy, its seven-member board faced equally eventful weeks. November began with a tense, nearly four-hour meeting that included an executive session to discuss Gantt’s annual contract renewal.
A special meeting later that month ended with a 4-2 vote to censure board member Hassan Hourmanesh. Supporters of the motion accused Hourmanesh of violating Colorado’s Open Meetings Law and acting without board authorization by emailing agencies about alleged misconduct and speaking to the Dolores Town Board during its regular meeting.
Hourmanesh denied the allegations, saying he was fulfilling his fiduciary duty and raising transparency concerns. Debate intensified over a 2023 staff document that Hourmanesh said reflected unresolved employee issues. Board President Sandy Jumper and Gantt countered that the document was merely a request for a third-party witness during evaluations. Gantt said the matter was resolved in 2023 and warned that circulating “unverified” information could harm his and the library’s reputation.
After that meeting, the board unanimously authorized Jumper to retain legal counsel for advice on policy, defamation concerns and ongoing disputes.
Tuesday’s meeting included routine business such as approving holiday closures, but much of the discussion focused on governance.
Board member Emily Wisner requested adding several topics to the agenda: a cash-donations policy review, executive session rules, examples of effective board practices and clearer guidelines for trustee roles, including “who we can and can’t email.”
A brief misunderstanding between Wisner and Jumper over whether those topics had been submitted underscored recurring procedural disputes.
“You asked me in the meeting and then I told you all of that,” Wisner said, explaining she believed the items were proposed in November.
Jumper replied: “Not in the form of the motion to be added.”
“You asked me and I told you and now you are telling me there is an additional step that needs to be added?” Wisner asked.
“OK, well, I misunderstood,” Jumper said.
The board agreed to add the topics and later voted to schedule two work sessions next year, in August and late October, to review board performance, set goals and begin the director’s annual evaluation process.
Several trustees called for clearer procedures during a discussion on evaluating board performance. Member Jeanne Becker suggested creating a password-protected folder for board documents, drafting conduct rules and hiring a neutral HR consultant to interview staff.
“I think everyone is saying, for one, we need to come together as a board in a respected manner,” Becker said.
Wisner emphasized better communication pathways, noting, “I am a regular patron here, my children have grown up here. Most of what I brought up has been my own observations. … I listen meticulously.”
Member Tamara Woodbury repeatedly urged securing legal counsel, citing liability and slander concerns.
At times, discussions grew tense, with members talking over one another and Jumper trying to keep the agenda moving. Jumper said she had already contacted an attorney but was unsure how long the process would take.
More than a dozen members of the public attended. Dolores Town Board Trustee Marie Roan asked how the board evaluates the director without staff input. Woodbury said involving staff could create liability issues.
“There are some really complex personnel laws regarding the board getting involved with operations,” Woodbury said.
“Isn’t that what you are doing by evaluating the director? But if there are laws, there are laws,” Roan replied.
Wisner and Hourmanesh said many Colorado libraries use some form of 360-review and suggested the district adopt a process that includes staff and public input. Gantt said a subcommittee recommended against a 360-review this year, and the board voted to follow that advice.
The board ultimately approved Gantt’s contract for next year after an hourlong executive session.
The board also debated suspending term limits for members Becker and Gina Hernandez, whose terms expire this year. Under bylaws, trustees can serve up to 12 consecutive years, and new appointments require approval from the Dolores Town Board and Dolores School District.
Woodbury moved to suspend the term-limit rule to “maintain continuity and stability” while the board seeks legal guidance and coordinates with the town and school boards on vetting new trustees.
“So, if we are discussing selectees by the beginning of January. They should technically be brought on in 60 days,” Wisner said, who said she was not in favor.
She added: “I feel like you use the word ‘stability,’ and the last several months, stability is indicated by the majority you want to keep.”
“I am not in favor of a 12-month extension. First of all, we are not in the middle of a lawsuit – all we have done is agreed to have legal counsel on our bylaws. I don’t really see the benefit of keeping the board,” Becker said.
“I would also like to add that if we have a five-member board that is stability and continuity, that is sufficient,” Hourmanesh said.
After lengthy discussion, the resolution to suspend term limits passed. This is until they receive feedback from the town and school boards and appoint new trustees.
Wisner and Hourmanesh opposed the motion, and the remaining members Jumper, Becker, Woodbury, Hernandez, and Correen Becher voted in favor.
