Stroger preserves Forest Preserve budget without tax hike

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger presented a new 2010 executive budget recommendation for the Forest Preserve District on Tuesday calling for no cuts in service and no new property taxes.

"This budget does not reduce a single existing service or program," Stroger said. "It does not increase fees of any kind. And, most important, ladies and gentlemen of the board, this budget holds the line on property taxes in 2010."

The $160 million appropriation budget includes a $58 million operating budget for the Forest Preserve District, $14.4 million for Brookfield Zoo and $9.3 million for the Chicago Botanic Garden.

It also allows for technological improvements including a redesigned Forest Preserve Web site and an iPhone application on available park sites and amenities.

The budget was sent to the Finance Committee. Stroger has called a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Thursday to submit his overall executive 2010 budget for the county.