Say 'no' to Carol Stream parks

Carol Stream Park District is promising something that sounds like one of those late-night too-good-to-be-true deals: You can have $37 million in park improvements, a new indoor pool and recreation center, and it won't cost you a dime.

It comes through the magic of refinancing existing debt that's scheduled to be paid off in 2029. With a lower interest rate and adding 10 years to that payoff date, the district can borrow another $37 million.

Park district officials say this is the right time for this large project, despite the uncertain economy and high unemployment, because interest rates are low and surveys have told them residents want more affordable year-round recreation. Unlike schools and villages that rely on state aid or sales taxes, park district budgets have remained somewhat unaffected by the economy because the revenue comes from property taxes and program fees.

The community's indoor pool closed several years ago when officials determined it was beyond repair. The 1,100 responses to a community survey sent to 15,000 houses, showed great interest in replacing that pool and adding indoor and outdoor walking trails. If this measure gets the community's support, those will be at the top of the agenda, along with repairing drainage issues.

Taxpayers will pay the same amount each year whether the measure passes or fails, officials say. That's a convincing selling point. But they're also incurring another 10 years of debt. Is that the healthiest thing in this climate? What if something more urgent comes along in the next 20 years?

The fact remains that this is a request for a $37 million tax increase.

For that reason, we believe this kind of large project is better started in more certain times. We recommend a "no" vote.