Lombard library may split from city

Helen Plum Library officials are considering whether to convert from a municipal facility to a separate and independent library district.

The library is reviewing the benefits and disadvantages at the request of the village board in Lombard.

"We've turned ourselves upside down. We've reviewed how we do everything," Village Manager Dave Hulseberg explained. "It is a transparency issue."

Right now, the village board must approve the library's budget, oversee its election processes and, at issue, handle payments for Social Security and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for library employees.

Village officials are proposing that the library become a separate district so it can collect and disburse its own taxes for the retirement benefits, which amounted to roughly $312,000 in 2008. The village's levy would be reduced and the expense would transfer to the library, which would increase its levy by the same amount.

"There's no harm to the taxpayer. No new tax is being created," Hulseberg said. "It does create a more transparent view for the taxpayer. The village won't be responsible for employees it has no control over."

Since the overall tax rate for Lombard residents would not change, the conversion could be accomplished by resolutions approved by each board and endorsed by the DuPage County Circuit Court, Hulseberg said.

An advantage for the library is that it could then invite unincorporated neighborhoods, such as Butterfield East, Flowerfield and York Center to annex to the district.

However, the library as a district likely would lose its exempt status with ComEd. That means it would be responsible for paying roughly $73,000 in annual expenses for the utility bills, officials said.

"There's no hope of us avoiding that bullet," library Executive Director Bob Harris said, adding that most municipal libraries that converted then got utility bills.

Trustee Linnea Warda said board members will need more information before making a decision.

Library Trustee Gary Brenniman disagreed.

"I'd rather stay the way we are," he said. "I don't need any more information. I'd like to put it to rest right now."