Here’s what’s happening at the Park District
By Chris Fox
For the Elmhurst Independent
The Elmhurst Park District Board held a regular meeting on Oct. 10 at the district’s administrative office at 375 W. First Street. All seven board members attended the meeting
There were no public comments.
Tax levy resolution approved
Board members voted unanimously to approve a tax levy resolution with a $213,000 increase in tax dollars in the aggregate extension and a $30,000 increase in the Special Recreation Fund (SRF). The ordinance levies and assesses the taxes of the district. According to Illinois state law, at least 20 days prior to adopting the ordinance, the park district board must meet and formally determine the estimated amount of money to be levied in 2017 and extended in 2018.
The tax levy is determined by factors including the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of property in the district and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
According to Christi Jacobson, the district’s director of finance and human resources, the EAV of property within the district increased last year by about 8.6 percent from the prior year, from about $2.047 billion to about $2.223 billion. Total new construction in the district has averaged about $32 million per year in each of the last three years. Total new construction in 2017 is projected at about $32.2 million. The CPI for the 12-month period ending on Dec. 31, 2016 is 2.0 percent.
Jacobson said the proposed tax rate for 2017 is slightly lower than the rate in 2016. She said the owner of a home with an EAV market value of $428,000 would pay about $468 in property taxes to the park district, an increase of about $16 from the previous year. Jacobson said the Elmhurst Park District accounts for about 5.4 percent of a district homeowner’s total tax bill.
Great Western Prairie Work Day coming Oct 21
Commissioner Kevin Graf stated during the commissioner information items segment that the district will hold a Great Western Prairie Work Day on Saturday, Oct. 21, beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers are invited to meet at the prairie at the intersection of Berkley Avenue and the Illinois Prairie Path, just west of Spring Road.
Grand re-opening of Plunkett Park set for Nov. 4
Elmhurst Park District Executive Director Jim Rogers noted near the end of the meeting that the district will hold a grand reopening ceremony at the new Plunkett Park playground on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m.
The board will hold its next meeting on Oct.23.
