Pingree Grove leaders split over subdivision tax hike

A proposal to raise taxes nearly $15 for residents of Pingree Grove's Cambridge Lakes South subdivision has become a hot topic among village trustees.

Two trustees - Greg Marston and Ricky Popilek - are opposing the measure, and recently voted against attaching it to a Dec. 7 agenda dealing with the village's annual Truth in Taxation hearing.

Village Manager Scott Hartman and Finance Director Laura Pisarcik have counseled against the 5 percent hike, which would add $14.91 to the $298.20 special service area tax currently paid by subdivision residents.

Popilek and Marston, along with three trustees who support the tax, reside in Cambridge Lakes South.

"I'm opposed to it due to the current economic conditions and that it's a tax on Cambridge Lakes South residents only," Marston said. "Given the economy and staff recommendation, there's absolutely no reason for an increase. If the village needs additional money for services, why shouldn't all residents have to pay?"

Because that's not the way the subdivision initially was set up, said Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey. Under the initial arraignment, Cambridge Lakes South residents pay the subdivision's maintenance costs.

Carey says the 5-percent increase is necessary to ensure there's enough money in the subdivision fund in case of an emergency.

Right now, the fund is due to end the year with $100,000. Carey would like to see it grow to at least $250,000. The tax hike would mean an additional $20,000 every year for that fund

Carey accuses Marston of "flip-flopping" on the matter because the trustee approved a 5-percent increase on the same fund last year.

"Mr. Marston is being opportunistic on this issue," he said. "The easy part is to rile people up. The harder part is to find a solution."

Marston could not be reached Friday to respond to Carey's remarks, but said in a previous interview that he went along with the tax hike last year because village staff recommended it.

While Popilek agrees stabilizing the fund is an issue, one that the board has discussed many times, he's not so sure raising the tax on it is the best way to go, particularly when the board didn't increase last year's property taxes.

"I do think there is a disparity between raising (the tax) when you're most likely not going to be raising the property tax," Popilek said.