Hawthorn Woods hopes to gain state funding through special census
Due to a residential growth spurt, officials in Hawthorn Woods have authorized a special census in hopes of increasing revenues, such as motor fuel tax, received from the state.
With 349 new homes in two subdivisions complete, under construction or planned, officials believe the financial return provided by counting newcomers and revising the town's official population upward will be worth the $67,607 cost of the census.
"We've weighed that and it's worth it for us to move forward," said Michael Cassata, community development director.
Hawthorn Woods has been a hot spot for builders since the economic recovery, Cassata said.
"You get a bigger house for a smaller price per square foot," he said.
Hawthorn Woods receives $152.05 per resident in state revenue sharing, mainly in shared motor fuel and income taxes. As a result of the census, officials expect to receive an additional $91,230 per year to fund services such as police patrols and snow removal.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Hawthorn Woods had 7,663 residents. By July 2015, the population had increased to 7,961, according to a census estimate.
The bulk of the growth is coming from the Hawthorn Trails subdivision at Quentin Road and Route 22 and the Hawthorn Hills development at Gilmer and Midlothian roads.
"Those two subdivisions is where the census will take place. We want to capture those additional people," said Donna Lobaito, the village's chief administrative officer.
The first phase of 90 homes at Hawthorn Trails is nearly complete, with another 39 homes planned. Building is about half done at Hawthorn Hills, which calls for 220 homes, Cassata said.
"We just felt that it was financially responsible to do this," Lobaito said. "Obviously, we're always looking for revenue sources."
The census was authorized Feb. 27 and is expected to begin in summer.
Next, the village will send the census bureau a check with the two copies of a memorandum of agreement signed by Mayor Joe Mancino, which needs to be authorized and returned.
"We want residents to participate. It's important to the village," Lobaito said.
Hawthorn Woods will be the second Lake County community in recent months to proceed with a special census.
Volo had a population of 2,929 after the 2010 count but 650 homes have been built since then. The village expects to capture an additional $125,000 to $150,000 annually in state revenue.