Affordable housing means higher taxes

Darlene Bakk states in her post recently that affordable housing in Geneva will not increase taxes. That is unlikely; and while the goal is admirable, the money it will cost has to come from somewhere. Perhaps a budget surplus (I didn't know we had) or from another program, which one to cut?

In my discussions with Alderman Singer, he indicated the subsidized housing program would be for lower income seniors to start and would come from a mix of reduced builder fees and existing taxes. These reduced fees from builders will have to be made up from some other source; and with the economy reducing sales tax collections in Geneva, plus the decline in our home values, I don't see how a reasonable person can expect to add new programs when it appears we will actually experience reduced tax revenue.

In addition, does anyone remember a recent letter from the individual in Elgin who ranted about the decline of their community due to all the low-income folks now living there? High crime, reduced property values, increased school cost from larger families in lower tax based homes, etc. Mr. Singer sent me a study they are using as their play book. It points out how Geneva, St. Charles and Batavia are far behind Elgin, Carpentersville and Aurora in the amount of affordable housing available. Is this what we really want for Geneva?

Gary Kolbe

Geneva