Politics & Government

Vote for Proposed Park District Levy Tuesday

Residents are invited to voice their opinions on the levy at the meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. at the Woodridge Park District Community Center.

The Woodridge Park District Board of Commissioners will vote on the district’s 2011 tax levy Tuesday night.

Residents are invited to voice their opinions about the levy at a public hearing during the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the , 2600 Center Dr. 

The park district’s proposed tax levy is $6,022,090, a 4.071 percent increase over last year’s levy of $5,786,532.

Find out what's happening in Woodridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The park district expects the actual tax levy to be a 2.13 percent increase over last year for a total of $5,909,863.

That would mean a $9 increase in the 2012 tax bill for the average Woodridge resident, from $430 to $439. The average home assessed value in Woodridge was $258,399 in 2011, down from $272,976 in 2010, a 5.37 percent decrease. 

Find out what's happening in Woodridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The park district intentionally asks for more money than it expects to receive to capture as much as possible. Otherwise, the tax rate will become higher for those living within the district. 

The money is necessary to fund inflationary increases, the district said, as well as financial commitments like:

  • the land acquisition purchase of the School District #99 property and associated legal costs
  • capital projects in accordance with federally mandated American with Disabilities Act compliance
  • state-mandated contributions
  • planned capital replacement and capital development programs," according to the park district's website. 

The district will try to reduce expenses by:

  • seeking new grant opportunities for planned projects and recreational programs
  • continue to initiate new energy efficiency/sustainable programs and projects to further reduce utility reliance and expense
  • reduce health care insurance premiums through continued healthy initiatives for employees to minimize medical claims and employee contributions
  • continue strong administrative management of all budgeted expenditures, all in an effort to stretch the tax dollar in order to provide superior and affordable recreational opportunities


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