Schaumburg Twp. library district explains why it needs to extend bonds

The Schaumburg Township District Library won praise but also raised some concerns during a pair of public forums last week on its potential tax referendum next year. Library officials held two open houses seeking public input about a referendum that would ask taxpayers to maintain current funding levels after 2012, when the district pays off a 1990s bond issue.

If successful, the request would bring the district about $1.7 million in additional yearly revenues without increasing taxes above current levels.

However, if voters opt to let the bond issue expire, residents would see a tax cut.

Library officials say they need the funding to make up for declines in revenue and increasing costs of operation. Officials say the library could face a $1.7 million shortfall.

“We looked at what it was going to cost to go forward and we realized it was going to be more than we had,” library board President Bob Lyons said.

Library officials cited added expenses such as maintaining reserves for building repairs and maintenance.

“We want to shift a portion of what you are paying now from the bond fund to operating costs,” library board Treasurer Robert Frankel told residents.

Library officials explained that while the bond issue's expiration would save taxpayers money, the referendum request would allow the library to maintain a yearly $1 million reserve for building repair and replacements, something deemed essential by an architectural planning firm.

Frankel argued that the impact of the proposal would be minimal as homeowners would continue to pay the same amount in taxes.

“Nobody would pay more than they are already paying,” library Executive Director Stephanie Sarnoff added.

Without extending the bonds, officials said, they likely would be forced to cut in areas such as Sunday hours and programming.

Several residents expressed support for the library.

“The board and employees in this library should be commended,” said Lillian Clinton, a Hoffman Estates resident. “I encourage everybody to use (the library) and am very much in favor of funding it.”

Others voiced concern about issues such as library salaries.

“We're frustrated,” said Robert Hager, a longtime resident of Schaumburg. “My income was cut because the company I work for needed to meet their expenses.”

Hager pointed to salary increases as a point of contention, saying, “Live within your means.”

The library district has lost nearly 20 employees to attrition, but library salaries have increased over the last two years, according to library officials and records.

With more than a million visitors a year, Frankel said, “how do you continue to cut (salaries) when utilization goes up?”

Sarnoff defended the library's salary expenditures, saying, “Nobody knows how to squeeze a dollar the way the library does.”

Residents will have a third opportunity to meet with officials at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hanover Park branch, 1266 Irving Park Road. A decision on the April referendum is expected to be made at the board's December meeting.