Bensenville park board rejects referendum

If timing is everything, then the time isn't right for DiOrio Field in Bensenville.

After some discussion, the Bensenville park board Wednesday unanimously voted against placing a tax increase on the Feb. 5 ballot to help renovate the field. Though voters previously turned down a tax increase, the park board wanted to revisit the issue.

"I just wanted to have the discussion brought up to see if we want to do it again," park board President Henry Wesseler said.

But park officials eventually agreed that asking residents for a tax increase in February would likely result in failure.

Officials predict the ballot will be crowded.

DuPage County could ask for a few referendums and Bensenville village officials are toying with the idea of placing two advisory referendums on the ballot as well.

"I don't think the timing is right," Commissioner Richard Johnson said.

In April, voters turned down a similar park district request for a tax increase to pay for improvements to DiOrio Field.

The improvements were suggested by the Bensenville Boys Athletic Association, which uses the field often.

The district wanted to borrow roughly $1 million to pay for the improvements that included renovations to its baseball fields, a new playground and a new concession stand.

At that time, the park district estimated it would cost the owner of a $250,000 home an extra $6 more in taxes annually over the 20-year payback of the loan.

"At this point, I think even if we went for $300,000 it would fail," Johnson said.

Commissioner Ken Anderson jested that the park board should "put water on the fire cause the hunt is over."

The 6-acre field on Memorial and Walnut drives has not undergone any substantial improvements for more than 20 years.

But the fact that a referendum won't appear on the February ballot does not mean that the issue is dead.

Wesseler said he would support placing the same request before voters again at some point in the future.

"I'd spend the $6 dollars to improve the parks," he said. "Being born and raised in this town, I thought it would have passed last time."

Taxing bodies have until Dec. 3 to place a referendum on the February election ballot.