The town hall in Havlíčkův Brod did not approve the money requested by the region for the library

Havlíčkův Brod, June 14 (ČTK) - The representatives of Havlíčkův Brod did not approve the proposal for a contract to co-finance the construction of a regional library in this city, which is being prepared by the region. Mayor Jan Tecl (ODS) told reporters today that the city's share would approach 100 million crowns, which is too high an amount. He expects the representatives to meet again in an extraordinary session this week to present their own contract proposal to the region.

"I would be very glad if we, as representatives, found a consensus on the way of co-financing for the city of Havlíčkův Brod, which we do not relinquish," said the mayor. The regional library is currently located in the Old Town Hall in Havlíčkův Brod and needs more space. The city has been fighting for a new building for years. The region is now planning its construction on vacant land near the Ostrov cultural house. According to Tecl, the representatives still want it.

According to regional materials, the city could pay one-third of the library and two-thirds for the parking garage next to it. The costs for the library, including equipment, are likely to exceed 160 million crowns, while the parking garage is expected to cost around 30 million crowns.

Deputy Mayor Ivana Mojžíšková (ČSSD) said she did not see such a problem in the regional proposal. She pointed out that by relocating the library to new premises, 800 square meters of space would be freed up, which the town hall could utilize differently.

The dispute at Monday's council meeting also concerned the amount of the city's contribution to the operation of the regional library. So far, it amounts to 7.6 million crowns annually. For a larger new building, the city should, according to the region's proposal, contribute at least ten million crowns each year.

The Vysočina Regional Library in Havlíčkův Brod operates in three rented spaces and also utilizes the facilities of the city library. The first decision about the construction of a new regional library in Brod was made years ago; it was supposed to be built near the hospital. However, the region later abandoned this project in favor of other developments in the area.