The Sumner County Library Board voted Dec. 11 to set the Oct. 31, 2025 start dates for Angela Letito Holmes as Westmoreland library director and Emily Higdon as Hendersonville library director, and to approve the salary line items shown in the county budget for each post.

The actions came after a public-comment period in which four speakers urged the board to retain the hires and not impose pay reductions or leave-of-absence penalties. Suzanne Bowen, a Gallatin resident, told the board the accusations leveled at the chair and the new directors had been “exaggerated and negative,” and warned against measures such as clawbacks. Paul Bridal said firing or suspending the newly hired directors could be “a slam dunk lawsuit.” Angela (Angie) Holmes, who identified herself as the Westmoreland director, appealed to the board to avoid placing her on leave because of ongoing staff turnover and an upcoming community event.

Why it mattered: The votes resolved public uncertainty about the directors’ pay and effective dates after questions surfaced about whether new hires should receive the preapproved budgeted line-item salary or be set to a different amount discussed during hiring. Board members debated whether director pay should be tied strictly to the budget line item for a position or adjusted by experience and prior postings.

Key facts: The board approved the Westmoreland library director salary at $60,416, citing the figure as the line-item amount listed on page 77 of the Sumner County consolidated annual budget for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. Commissioners discussed whether job postings had shown a higher range; some raised a remembered $65,000–$75,000 posting, but the chair said no such public range was confirmed in the personnel process. Board members and at least one commissioner also cited prior budget work that raised many front-line library pay lines to about $58,656 in the prior cycle; the $60,416 number reflects cost-of-living adjustments to the director line item.

On the Hendersonville director salary, a commissioner proposed an amendment to make the Hendersonville director’s pay the same as Westmoreland ($60,416) pending a six-month evaluation. That amendment was discussed and put to a vote and failed. The main motion to approve the budgeted Hendersonville director salary of $61,322 then passed on a roll-call voice vote recorded by the chair as 4 yes, 3 no and 1 abstention.

Authorities and documentation: Board members referenced the Sumner County consolidated annual budget (fiscal year ended 06/30/2026) when identifying the salary line items and page numbers for each library post. A commissioner also cited changes in wage guidance under the Fair Labor Standards Act as context for earlier budget adjustments that affected base pay levels for library staff.

What was decided (Votes at a glance):
- Motion to set start dates of Oct. 31, 2025 for Angela Letito Holmes (Westmoreland) and Emily Higdon (Hendersonville): approved (chair recorded unanimous by voice).
- Motion to approve Westmoreland library director salary at $60,416 (page 77 of county consolidated budget): approved (unanimous by voice as recorded).
- Motion to approve Hendersonville library director salary at $61,322 (page 74 of county consolidated budget): approved 4–3 with one abstention after a proposed amendment to set it at $60,416 pending six-month review failed.

Dissent and follow-up: Several commissioners expressed concern that the county has no formal policy tying pay to tenure or experience and said the board should adopt clearer salary policies so future hires and long-serving directors are treated consistently. Board members agreed to take that policy question up in a later meeting (January was suggested). Financial staff told the board there would be no retroactive clawbacks of pay that had already been disbursed.

Who said what (representative quotes): "A clawback is a contractual clause allowing the employer to reclaim money…that was disgraceful in my opinion," Suzanne Bowen told the board. "This is a slam dunk lawsuit" if directors were fired without cause, Paul Bridal warned. "Please do not get rid of a library director…My team needs me," said Angela (Angie) Holmes.

Next steps: The board adjourned after finishing the salary votes. Members said they will return to a broader policy conversation about director pay structure and consistent salary-setting practices in a future meeting; no specific timetable for that policy work was set at the Dec. 11 meeting.