Taxing bodies seek hikes despite financial times

Despite the tough financial times, some governmental bodies are presenting voters with requests for tax hikes on Tuesday.

Some of the referendum questions are making repeat appearances on a DuPage County ballot, while a few are getting their first airing before residents. Here's a look several of those requests:

Bensenville Elementary District 2

Four elementary schools in Bensenville Elementary District 2 would be torn down in favor of two new grade-level centers under the district's $50 million proposal.

A newly-rebuilt Johnson Elementary School would house all prekindergarten through second-grade students. The second new building would house third- through fifth-grade students. Blackhawk Middle School would remain but get millions of dollars in improvements.

If all $50 million were borrowed at once, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay the district about $310 in extra taxes the following year. The district presented a similar $40 million plan in 2007.

Villa Park Library

Villa Park Library officials are asking voters for permission to borrow $24.9 million to build a new library at Central Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue just south of the existing building. That loan, which would be repaid over 20 years, is expected to add roughly $172 in taxes to the owner of a $250,000 home.

Meanwhile, a second ballot question is asking voters to boost the operating fund tax rate by 8 cents. Money from the increase would be used to operate the new, larger building. In approved, the hike is estimated to cost an additional $63 annually for the owner of a $250,000 home.

After several years of study involving a community survey, committee, and evaluations by library consultants, officials decided a new building was the best way to address shortfalls in space for programs, books and other materials, meetings and parking.

Lisle Park District

Lisle Park District officials are asking voters to approve a $21.9 million tax increase to build an 85,449-square-foot indoor recreation facility.

Park officials began considering a referendum proposal last year after Lisle Unit District 202 announced it planned to sell the Meadows Center and raise the park district's annual lease for the facility from $24,000 to $144,000. They say it would cost about $10 million to repair both that building and the outdated Community Center, but the work wouldn't address programming needs.

The new building would be built at the site of the current Community Center.

If voters approve the tax increase, the owner of a $300,000 house would pay about $99 a year more for the next 20 years.

Winfield Township roads

Winfield Township officials have asked unsuccessfully since the 1990s to raise taxes for road repairs.

They'll again put a question before voters seeking a 2-cent tax rate increase to raise $200,000 a year for the road maintenance budget. Officials say they need to money to maintain the 48 miles of roads in the district.

If approved, the owner of a $300,000 house would pay $20 more next year to the township.

Oakbrook Terrace clerk

In a ballot question that isn't requesting additional tax dollars, Oakbrook Terrace officials want permission to appoint the next city clerk. Right now, it's an elected position. City Manager Marty Bourke has said the post should be appointed to ensure the full-time job that pays $30,000 annually is filled by someone with "expertise."