Township says $1 annual rent at library only part of the story

Seems some people are upset that Dundee Township pays the library district a miserly $1 per year in rent.

While that is true, according to the lease agreement between both bodies, Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney wants to clear one thing up: rent is only part of the financial contribution the township pays the library district to occupy space on the library's lower level.

Since the library was built on Barrington Avenue in East Dundee in 1975, the township has rented about 3,500 square feet to house about a dozen township employees.

According to the lease, the "nominal rental was agreed upon between the parties in full consideration of the fact that a substantial portion of the cost to construct the library building has been and will be borne by the township."

Recently, a Kane County judge ruled that the library could not evict the township from the building. The library argued that the original lease was vague and allowed for the library to evict the township.

The library said it needed more space for staff and programs.

However, Judge Gene Nottolini ruled the lease was valid and enforceable.

The lease states that the agreement is valid "so long as township government shall exist."

But the township's contribution to the library equals hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the $1 it pays in rent.

Harney said the township must, under state statute, contribute 60 percent of revenue it receives from the state's replacement tax to the library. That amount was agreed upon during the 1980s and can range from $25,000 up to $88,000, depending on how much the township receives from the state.

Up until three years ago, when the library began action attempting to evict the township, Harney said the library would send the township an itemized bill for utilities.

The township would pay a prorated amount based on the amount of space the township occupies -- the 3,500 square feet are approximately 12.5 percent of the library building.

Harney said township pays about $10,000 for utilities, scavenger service and the maintenance of the parking lot.

But Harney said she suspects that number is a little low -- and said it is the best the township could do lacking any documentation from the library district.

"We are not required to do this, but we think it is good public policy to do that," Harney said. "We wanted to do our share."

Library officials did not want to comment, on the advice of their attorney.

The $1 rent does not reflect the huge investment the township made when it moved into the building more than 30 years ago.

Carpeting, lighting and other fixtures in the basement area were paid for by the township.

So was the parking lot, sidewalks and small shed outside the building.

"I don't know the exact dollar amounts, but they are significant assets," Harney said. "The whole $1 rent thing does not reflect the huge investment the township has made."

• Larissa Chinwah covers Carpentersville, East Dundee and West Dundee. To reach her, call (847) 931-5722, or e-mail lchinwah@dailyherald.com.