To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Daniela Villarreal, Management Analyst, Commissioners’ Office
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Subject:
title
Intergovernmental Agreement between Arapahoe County, the Arapahoe County Library District, and Deer Trail School District No. 26-J establishing the Library District Trustee appointment process
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Board of County Commissioners is requested to approve the attached intergovernmental agreement between Arapahoe County, the Arapahoe County Library District, and Deer Trail School District No. 26-J. It establishes the appointment process for Arapahoe County Library District Trustees.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Operate in transparent, inclusive, and communicative manner.
Background and Discussion:
The Arapahoe Library District (“ALD”) was established by agreement between Arapahoe County and Deer Trail School District No. 26-J. The District’s boundaries encompass all of Arapahoe County, with the exception of the Cities of Littleton, Englewood, and Aurora. On April 5, 1966, the District was formally created by resolution to serve residents of unincorporated areas and municipalities not operating a public library.
Pursuant to state statute, library districts are governed by a Board of Trustees. In districts formed by more than one governmental unit, the legislative body of each unit shall appoint two of its members to a committee for the purpose of appointing the initial Board of Trustees. Thereafter, the legislative bodies may either continue such a committee or delegate to the district’s Board of Trustees the authority to recommend successors. Following the original appointments to the ALD Board of Trustees, the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners and the Deer Trail School District delegated authority to recommend trustees to the ALD Board of Trustees.
On May 19, 2020, Arapahoe County entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the Arapahoe Library District and the Deer Trail School District No. 26-J, establishing the policy and process for the appointment of library district trustees. The agreement provides for a five-year term commencing upon execution and automatically renewing for successive five-year terms unless notice of intent to terminate is given by any party. On April 17, 2025, Arapahoe County issued notice to the Library District and the School District of its intent to negotiate an updated IGA on substantially similar terms. The proposed revisions include the following:
- Establishment of a defined timeframe for providing notice of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees. The County has proposed two weeks; however, this timeframe remains subject to negotiation.
- A requirement that, in the event a nominee is not ratified, a consultation shall occur between the parties prior to any formal action declining the recommended applicant.
- The addition of provisions addressing the process for reappointments, which shall align with the process established for new appointments.
The IGA was reviewed by all parties; the Deer Trail School District approved on August 11, 2025. Pending the County’s approval, ALD will finalize.
Alternatives: The alternative would be for the BOCC to not approve the IGA.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Concurrence: Arapahoe County Library District; Deer Trail School District No. 26-J.