TWIN LAKES — Several changes need to take place if the village is to continue its connection with the Community Library system, village officials said Monday.

Specifically, officials want to see improved communication between the Library Board and stakeholders and better responsiveness to issues.

“We definitely have some ongoing issues that need to get resolved,” trustee Mike Moran said during a Committee of the Whole meeting, adding the completion of a four-year audit is one of them.

While a new library agreement has been reached between the five municipalities in the system — Twin Lakes, Randall, Salem, Silver Lake and Paddock Lake — it will not be fully implemented until the audit is complete.

The library did annual financial reviews 2004-07, but not an annual audit. Under the new agreement, Twin Lakes is to be the new fiscal agent once the audit is up to date.

However, some who represent Twin Lakes’ interest in the system believe it might be time to look at other options.

Mike Mahoney, a library representative from Twin Lakes, said he believes the village could operate its own library. Another option would be to join the Kenosha County system.

Twin Lakes resident and library patron Carey Kuhlney said she does not believe the village could run its own library for under $230,000 (roughly the amount it costs the village to be part of the Community Library system).

“I am a very heavy user of Twin Lakes library,” Kuhlney said. “They are able to get all the oddball things I want. Don’t take my library away, but you do need an audit.”

Village president Howard Skinner assured her the goal is not to get rid of the library.

“We’re not going to take the library away,” Skinner said, “There may be some changes, but we are not going to take the library away.”

Some of those changes will include altering how financial accounts are recorded. For example, Library Director Mary Ellen Close said they had been using a cash basis method of accounting rather than an accrual method. One of the recommendations from the auditor is to change to the accrual method.

“We’re trying to do what we’re asked to do, and we’re trying to do it in a conscientious way,” Close said.

Close agreed there has been some miscommunication. She said the draft audit should be ready by Feb. 11 and the final audit ready for approval at a meeting later this month.

The meeting was attended by village officials from Randall, Silver Lake and Salem as well. Randall supervisor Bob Stoll said the issue will also be discussed at an upcoming meeting there. Randall supervisor Ken Mangold reiterated his belief the resignation of Close and a change in Library Board leadership is needed.

Salem supervisor Pat O’Connell said he hopes all the municipalities can work this out once the audit is complete.

“This has opened up our eyes a bit to how things should be done,” O’Connell said, adding the library system will not fly under the radar any longer.

Silver Lake Village President Roger Johnson made similar comments after the meeting, adding he feels his board needs to be better informed about library issues.