By Karen Haave
Peotone Park officials are trying again for a moderate tax rate increase. Village voters rejected the proposal in a 260-214 vote in the Primary Election on March 19.
Park officials have said they are aware of the village reluctance to approve tax hikes, no matter what public body is proposing one. But they are hoping they can get the message across this time and convince residents there is a real need for a rate hike. A community support group is being formed and public information meetings will be scheduled.
“This referendum is the second request for an increase in the limiting tax for the Peotone Park District of 0.0550 percent, which is currently at 0.1241 percent,” Park Board President Barbara Sim said. “This increase would be approximately $64,000 of tax revenue to the park annually.
“The increase in the limiting tax rate would cost a single family residence with a fair market value of $100,000 and estimated $18 annually. “So a home-owner would just need to use that factor based on their home value: $200,000 = $36 annual, etc. “The current tax revenue to Peotone Park District is $250,236, of which $72,150 is for bond repayment and $33,355 for Special Recreation.
“That leaves $144,731 for everything else for the Park – employment, utilities, supplies, insurance, improvements and maintenance,” she said. “As I have previously stated, it is a very tight budget.
“Peotone Park District has almost 20 acres of property in the Village of Peotone, with four playgrounds and sports fields. Parks include West Street, Division Street, Bate Park, and Westgate Park. We also have baseball and softball fields, a skate park, basketball, tennis, hockey, and volleyball courts, our main park building, nature area, and pond.
“While every effort is made to maintain those parks and grounds, the very tight financial budget we operate on does not allow for any major improvements in the future. If playground structures become broken or are beyond repair, we have been removing them and, if possible, replacing them with much smaller pieces. The money that has been set aside for these purchases will run out and purchasing replacements will no longer be an option.
“The cost of new park playground equipment is probably a shocker to most residents,” Sim noted, “and the pieces that recently have been selected had to meet not only a budgetary criteria but were selected based on input from the community of what they would like to see for their children.
“As much as we would love to see the newest and biggest pieces in the parks, that is just not a possibility under our budget. The parks will continue to be run with a maintaining, if possible, focus rather than an improvement focus.
“The Park Board has a 20-year plan for improvements to the park, and we will continue to work on getting those improvements for our community.
“Based on the expected life of current park equipment – whether it is playground equipment, vehicles, building or grounds, it averages an annual expenditure of $47,000” she continued. “Unexpected costs always appear, and we have been able to set aside reserve funds during the past few years to cover any major repairs or increases in costs. We do have to prioritize what needs to be taken care of first, whether it is an improvement to the grounds or equipment of playgrounds. We can put off purchases while we plan and save for them, but realistically that can take years, and it is assuming no unexpected costs pop up.
“There is not a $47,000 surplus in the budget to be used for improvements.
“The park has the support of organizations that use the grounds and facilities, and we are grateful to Peotone Baseball Softball Association and the Peotone Community School District for helping to support the costs of maintaining the ball fields. Earlier this year, Peotone Park District deeded Blue Devil Drive to Peotone Community School District, and a rebuild of the road was done in the early summer months. The cost was estimated previously at $500,000, which, based on the above revenue information, would have been so far out of reach for the park to ever repair, let alone replace.
“We were happy to be able to come to an agreement with the school district and have heard nothing but good responses from the community on the new road.
“Our Park Manager Kelly LaMore and staff have done a great job of creating programs and increasing our revenues with registrations. Kelly also has been instrumental in finding grants and sponsorships, which help to fund the park improvements and programs.
“Through her hard work, grant funds were found that enabled the park to renovate the restrooms in the main building to be hands-free and ADA compliant. More work needs to be done to other buildings, and her search continues in finding additional revenue sources.
“However, our current revenue alone is not enough to cover rising costs and improvements still needed. We always have to face the fact that vandalism occurs in the park,” Sim noted. “Sometimes it’s an easy fix, sometimes it’s a major hit to our budget. Regardless, it usually means we are calling on employees to work additional hours to fix and repair damage. So vandalism, while ugly to the face of the park, hits us financially, as well.
“With all of this, we have no choice but to ask the public to approve a tax increase. The tax revenue alone has been falling behind the rapidly increasing costs of goods, employment, utilities, and supplies. The increase will allow the park to better manage the day-to-day costs, to have a realistic improvement plan, and to set the park in a place of financial stability.
“It is not lost on me that passing a referendum is difficult, especially when there is not one big ‘shiny new outcome. This increase in our funds will allow us to continue to operate and make improvements that are necessary and to be able to improve our parks and equipment.
“I know Peotone Park District receives one of the lowest tax revenues in Will County. That is not the reason we are asking for an increase. I ask residents to visit each of our parks, take a good look at the current conditions, and ask if this is the best they can be or if there is room for improvement. This referendum request is vital to operating and improving the parks, as we have committed to our residents.
“The Board of Commissioners of Peotone Park District put a lot of thought into why they ask for this increase. It has taken a long time, multiple conversations, but the reality is we cannot continue to operate as we are,” Sim emphasized.
“Every cost is considered before we make it, every detail is thought out before we make the decision to move forward. Asking the taxpayers to dig into their pockets for more money is not a decision we took lightly. We are homeowners, as well, and know this will also affect us personally.
“We believe in a strong Park District. Parks are a place for everyone, regardless of age and ability. The parks are to serve the community, through programming for all ages, recreational fields, or just a quiet place to walk. Peotone Parks are the heart of our community.”
Sim said a community group is being formed to help support the park and get the word out to the residents. Anyone who would like to help the park and its efforts to improve is invited to contact the park for more information.
“By holding community meetings, we are hoping residents will come out to ask questions and details before they go to their polling place. Supporters of the Park will be going door-to-door to talk with neighbors, information has been passed out through local businesses, and I hope this information will get the attention of our voters.”