W. Chicago parks seek tax hike
Officials: This one smaller than failed 2001 try

By Harry Hitzeman, Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted October 7, 2004

Last year, it cost $10,000 more to empty the Prairie Oaks Family Aquatic Center, thanks to a new state fee.

Rising heating and labor costs haven't helped the bottom line at the West Chicago Park District, either.

Over the years, the district also has absorbed more youth football programs that used to be independently run.

These factors, along with the Property Tax Limitation Act, or tax cap, have led the park district to ask for its second tax increase since 2001.

The first request, to raise taxes and build a $12 million recreation center at Reed-Keppler Park, failed by a margin of more than 2-to-1.

On Nov. 2, local leaders hope voters will support a smaller increase designed to undo the diminishing effects of the tax cap, which some officials compare to a fixed income.

"Our costs are climbing faster than what the tax cap gives us in new money," said David Thomas, park district executive director.

The increased cost to operate the aquatic center is one example of rising costs, officials said. The $10,000 state fee was attached to a routine pollution discharge permit required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency when the park district emptied its pool.

The district seeks a tax-rate increase of 13 cents. For the owner of a $200,000 house, that comes to about $82 more per year.

The rejected increase in 2001 sought 25 cents more.

If approved, Thomas said the $979,000 in additional revenue each year will be used for maintenance, new programs and future capital projects.

If it fails, the district will have to increase registration fees, continue to defer maintenance and cut programs that don't pay for themselves, he said.

"We don't want to cut anything," said parks Commissioner James Lootens. "But with prices going up and no money to do it with, something will be cut."

The district's current rate is 31.3 cents, meaning a yes vote could raise taxes paid to the district by nearly 42 percent.

Lootens said the tax hike could be a bitter pill for residents, who will also be asked for a tax increase by the local mosquito abatement district on the November ballot. But he said it's needed to ensure the district has a wide range of quality programs.

"You can't keep giving the same service with less money," Lootens said. "No one is in favor of a tax increase. I'm one of those people. We're giving (voters) a choice."