DuPage forest budget calls for increased spending
Homeowners in DuPage County can expect a slight property tax bump to help pay for increased spending in the coming fiscal year by the forest preserve district.
The district plans to increase spending by 5.2 percent in its new budget, bringing its projected operating expenditure to $42 million, officials said Tuesday.
The additional spending will be funded primarily by investment earnings and grants, officials said. But the district also is increasing its property tax rate for the first time in 15 years, from 5 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value to 5.5 cents.
As a result, the owner of a $300,000 house, who currently pays about $47 in district property taxes, will pay roughly $52.
Officials said the property tax increase has more to do with stabilizing revenue from declining property values than increasing property tax payments.
"We are solid," said Brent Manning, the district's executive director. "We are sustainable at the current levels for the next five years. This is a very realistic budget."
Expenses responsible for the spending increase include $600,000 for a 3 percent raise for employees who did not receive any pay increase last year. There also will be a combined $225,000 spent on salaries and benefits for three new full-time employees and about $450,000 in demolition and architectural costs for the fire-gutted Oak Meadows golf clubhouse.
Officials said the new employees are needed because of a domino effect coming from changes at St. James Farm, including the decision to keep the facility open longer throughout the week and plans to expand education there.
A new ranger will be hired, along with an administrative assistant and a person to work in environmental services.
Only one commission member, Roger Kotecki, opposed the budget, in particular the part calling for an increase in staff.
"I would have liked to see more support for restoration in forest areas," he said, adding that there were projects missing from the budget that he thought should have been included.