Village board approves $1-per-year lease of former Quick Trip building to food pantry; pantry to pay electricity

The Village of Baldwin board on its December meeting approved a one-year lease of the donated former Quick Trip building to the local food pantry for $1 per year, with the pantry responsible for electricity costs and the village covering water, sewer and existing dumpster service.

Board members debated utility responsibility after staff reported the pantry had not yet received a full month’s electric bill since moving into the building. Willie noted the pantry had received only two small electric bills and ‘‘we haven't seen a full month’’ of charges; board members said they did not want to saddle the pantry with unexpected past costs and agreed a one-year trial would allow both parties to monitor usage.

The lease reflects the building’s donated status and a prior draft that described a $1-per-year arrangement with the village paying utilities except for phone and internet. Under the approved motion the pantry will pay electricity; the village will continue to provide water and sewer and maintain the dumpster service under the current municipal contract. The board added a provision that the arrangement can be revisited if actual utility costs prove substantially higher than anticipated.

The board moved and seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote. Members said staff will ask the pantry for a proposed operating budget and bring back any needed adjustments at a future meeting.

The decision follows a period in which board members asked staff to obtain full billing statements so the village and pantry can better estimate typical monthly electricity costs before committing to a longer-term lease.