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Seven referendums on Lake ballots in April

Seven referendums will appear on Lake County ballots for this spring's consolidated local election.

The proposals include funding requests for school construction, water system improvements and fire department vehicles.

Election Day is April 2. Voting by mail begins March 8. Early voting begins March 18.

Here are the issues:

Lake Villa schools

Residents in Lake Villa Elementary District 41 will find two referendums on their ballots.

One asks if the school board should borrow $34.2 million to build additions, make safety improvements, improve accessibility for people with disabilities and make other facility changes.

The other question asks if the board should raise an additional $790,000 annually for maintenance costs.

Together, the two proposals would provide an additional $50 million in funding over 20 years, according to a fact sheet at district41.org/referendum-2019.

If approved, the owner of a house valued at $250,000 would pay about $212 less in property taxes to the district the first year, compared to the current tax bill. That's because existing loans that funded the construction of Martin and Thompson elementary schools are scheduled to be paid off this year.

If voters reject both plans, the owner of a $250,000 house would pay about $748 less in property taxes to the district the first year, District 41 Business Manager Anna Kasprzyk said.

Barrington schools

Barrington Unit District 220 voters will decide whether the school board should borrow $185 million for a variety of facility improvements.

All District 220 schools would receive security boosts and basic improvements, such as bathroom repairs and heating and air conditioning system upgrades.

The plan also calls for a new fine arts center at Barrington High School and a library renovation there, among other projects.

If approved, the owner of a house valued at $500,000 would pay about $97 more in property taxes to the district the first year.

Round Lake Heights

Round Lake Heights officials have proposed borrowing $2.7 million to develop a village water system. Voters narrowly rejected an identical plan in November.

The village has been buying water from neighboring Round Lake Beach for years. Officials say having a local water system will allow village officials to control water rates and ensure more consistent water flow with fewer interruptions.

If approved, the owner of a house valued at $200,000 would pay about $388 more in property taxes the first year.

Newport Fire District

Officials with the Wadsworth-based Newport Township Fire Protection District have proposed borrowing $3.5 million to purchase emergency vehicles, improve and equip the district's two stations and pay down debt.

If approved, the owner of a house valued at $200,000 would pay about $74 more in property taxes to the district the first year.

If voters reject the plan, layoffs and service cuts will be necessary, Deputy Chief Paul Maplethorpe said.

Other questions

Bannockburn residents will be asked if the village should create a real estate transfer tax that would be paid by the buyer in any sale. The money would be used to pay for infrastructure improvements and public safety.

And in Zion, voters will decide if the city should create a 1-percent municipal sales tax.

  Lake Villa Elementary District 41 officials have proposed raising $50 million over 20 years to pay for building improvements and maintenance. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, 2016
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