Our view of Lake County referendums

Everyone has to make tough decisions these days. Things that once seemed necessary - like vacations and home remodeling - don't fit into the budget anymore. As families cut back, we expect local governments to do the same.

Voters will face measures on the Nov. 4 ballot that we would have supported in a different economy. Rising property assessments despite falling values make it even trickier.

Lake County Forest Preserve: The biggest financial request comes from the forest preserve district, which wants to borrow $185 million, mostly for land acquisition. Other bonds are being paid off, so the district is able to shift that tax revenue to pay for the new bonds without increasing your tax rate. Because of low land prices and favorable interest rates, $185 million would buy a significant amount of land - as much as 3,500 acres. That will preserve open space, a critical issue for many residents. And it's land that won't become home to people who would drive on the roads and tax the schools and parks and water systems. Without approval, residents with a $200,000 home would see a $24 annual tax decrease. When you consider how little $24 can get you these days - and how much $185 million can - this seems like too good an opportunity to pass up. We recommend you vote yes.

Wauconda road work: Should the village borrow $7 million for road work? It's no easy call, but we say no. This is simply no time for less-pressing projects.

Round Lake Beach clerk: Voters will decide whether the village clerk should be appointed or elected, as they are now. The clerk is mainly responsible for record-keeping, so we lean toward appointments. An elected clerk earns $10,000 a year. An employee would make $2,000.

Warren Township High School District 121: Voters are being asked to approve a measure that's being sold as a tax decrease. The district wants to borrow $30 million, mostly to expand the Almond Road campus. Residents are scheduled for a tax rate decrease of 14 cents. If the referendum passes, officials will use 5 cents of that to pay off the new bonds, and drop the tax rate by 9 cents, saving the owner of a $300,000 home $88 a year. But if the referendum fails, the tax rate will stay the same and officials will use the 14 cents to pay down other debt. Some say the district is trying to trick voters. Others say this is a smart move in a bad economy. The bottom line is this: If the district borrows $30 million, taxpayers will pay it back. And, officials on both sides of the issue say there are other ways to deal with crowding. Some upperclassmen could attend the district's O'Plaine Road campus, now reserved for freshmen and sophomores. At Almond Road, the basement could be used for classes. We know these solutions aren't ideal, but they're living within our means. We recommend a no vote.

Antioch and Grayslake fire: No matter what the economy, public safety must remain a top priority. We recommend yes votes to tax rate increases for both the Antioch and Grayslake fire protection districts. Bills would go up by $100 to $150 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home. The money would be used to hire more firefighters and to build or staff stations on the outskirts of these growing communities, where it sometimes takes first responders 12 minutes to reach the farthest corners.

Diamond Lake Elementary District 76: The district wants to take money that pays debt and use it to pursue educational and extracurricular goals. This would not increase your tax bill. The district admits it could cut taxes, but then it would have to cut programs. We recommend you say yes.

Long Grove: A vote on whether Long Grove should create a tax increment financing district will provide an interesting read on whether opponents were a vocal minority wisely disregarded, or if the board is out of sync with fears commercial growth will alter the lifestyle.