Library Dispute Continues

A long-running dispute over who "owns" the Hendersonville Library (The County Commission/Sumner County) or the City of Hendersonville (which holds the deed) continued recently with a meeting of members of both governing bodies. 

The dispute goes back to a state audit finding noting that the County has been claiming the Library as an asset on its books despite not having a deed to the library.  In fact, though the County issued a bond to pay for a portion of the library and then passed a resolution saying it should get the deed to the library from Hendersonville, no written agreement was ever established between the two parties.  That is, NO ONE from the County carried out negotiations to get a formal written document from Hendersonville BEFORE passing a resolution and bond that obligated taxpayers to pay for a building which the County didn't own.  No one, apparently, sought to rectify the matter in the years that have passed since, either. 

Back in January, when this controversy was in its infancy, it appeared that Kirk Moser and Merrol Hyde believed the whole issue could be solved with a sign giving the County credit for its role in establishing the library. 

So, let's review: The County issued a bond for a building it didn't own and had no claim to before securing a commitment from Hendersonville officials to deed the building to the County.  The bond was issued and the County listed a facility on its books it didn't own and no one checked to see if an actual deed existed, they just referred to a resolution passed by the Commission. 

Now, the City has made an offer of a joint deed arrangement.  Will the County accept? Or will they keep fighting?