Huntley funds senior rides in Rutland Twp.

A retirement community divided against itself cannot stand.

To avoid splitting Del Webb's Sun City into the haves and the have-nots, the village of Huntley recently signed off an agreement that allows all of Sun City, the sprawling retirement community off Route 47, to take advantage of Grafton Township's senior transportation service.

The issue stems from the fact that Sun City is split between Grafton and Rutland townships. Regardless, Grafton Township has been taking Sun City seniors from both townships to medical appointments, grocery stores and other errands for the past few years.

Because Grafton Township doesn't get tax revenue from seniors who live in Rutland Township, Grafton officials approached Huntley to cover the cost of transporting the seniors who live in the Rutland portion of Huntley.

In 2008, the Huntley village board agreed to pay $8,000 for the service, and trustees have increased that amount to $10,000, officials said.

"Through our support, they're basically able to provide (senior buses) to the entire village," said Huntley Trustee John Piwko, who supported the agreement. "It wasn't fair to cut that piece out."

The agreement passed with unanimous support. Trustee Pam Fender, who recently became Grafton Township administrator, was absent and did not vote, according to the village.

Data from Grafton Township show that demand for senior transportation rose last year, especially in Rutland Township. Overall ridership increased from 2,012 in 2008 to 2,222 in 2009. In Rutland, the number of riders jumped from 527 to 860 from 2008 to 2009 - a 63-percent increase.

The agreement between Huntley and Grafton requires the township to provide updated ridership numbers to the village twice a year. Huntley trustees will consider renewing the agreement in a year.