DuPage forest preserve candidates differ over taxes

Two DuPage County Forest Preserve candidates disagree about what should happen to millions of dollars in property tax revenue that will be available after the district pays off part of its debt.

When some bonds are paid off in 2017, District 6 forest preserve candidate Al Murphy said he wants to see a property tax reduction.

But incumbent Commissioner Shannon Burns says the district should continue to collect the estimated $5 million a year in tax revenue because the money will be needed for infrastructure improvements and ongoing maintenance costs.

"As much as I would love to say to the public that we can rebate that (money) to the public via property taxes," Burns said, "the truth is we've spent so much time in the last 20 or 30 years buying land that now we are stuck with needing to do infrastructure improvements, such as bridges."

The West Chicago Democrat said during a Thursday night candidate forum in Wheaton that the district is using existing accumulated interest earnings to support its operating budget.

"If we take that bond money and put it back into the regular budget, it will reduce what we're pulling from the interest income and give us some cushion to move forward with some of our projects," Burns said.

Murphy doesn't see it that way.

"It should be looked at and examined as to whether the forest preserve can afford to have 50 percent of the money go into the general fund for maintenance and rebate the remainder to the public," said Murphy, a Republican who lives in West Chicago. "Reduce the tax."

Burns said the district's maintenance costs increase every time it does a project. So it wouldn't be wise reduce the property tax levy.

Meanwhile, lowering the levy by roughly $5 million would save individual households only about $7 per year, according to Burns.

"As a taxpayer myself, I'd rather have really good trails," she said.

Murphy said if the district wants to keep collecting the $5 million after the bonds are paid off, it should seek a ballot question.

"If it comes down to it, put it up for a referendum," Murphy said. "Let the public decide."

Whoever wins the Nov. 4 election between Burns and Murphy will represent District 6 for a 4-year term.

District 6 includes all or parts of Roselle, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bloomingdale, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, Wayne, West Chicago, Warrenville, Aurora, Naperville, Wheaton and Winfield.