Time to abolish the 'automatic' increases
The Inverness Park District board held a Dec. 1 meeting to vote on the tax levy for 2008.
Information passed to commissioners contained the 5 percent maximum tax increase permissible under Illinois law. The increase was from $316,675 for 2007 to $332,600 for 2008.
This may not sound like a lot when you consider there are approximately 1,321 homes in the Inverness Park District - an increase of $12 per home. However, if every taxing body went up 5 percent we'd be closer to $1,000.
Add on the Cook County sales tax increase, proposed increases in Illinois and federal taxes and we are talking about many thousands of dollars.
It is time for taxing bodies to hold the line on taxes. The park district has an estimated projected surplus of $32,605 for the current fiscal year. Checking/savings accounts as of Nov. 30 amount to $720,218 - enough to keep the park district operating for at least two years. This is a responsible position for the district to be in.
There are current projects that require expenditures: the repair/maintenance of tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields etc. These expenditures can be handled with prudent planning.
I tried to introduce an approach recognizing current economic conditions, the district's excellent financial condition and recognition of projects, to meet the demands of the slightly more than 50 percent of Inverness residents who pay taxes to the Inverness Park District (the other 50 percent pay to the Palatine Park District or no park district).
I made a motion for the 2008 levy to equal the 2007 levy. It was defeated 4-2. Your next property tax bill will reflect the 5 percent increase.
I am sorry I failed. I do not speak for the park board but rather those constituents who voted me into office for two, 4-year terms. I acted the way they would want me to act.
Rest assured that somewhere, sometime, somebody will start a logical tax revolution that will stop these automatic 5 percent tax increases -- hopefully before total tax bills equal total incomes.
Ed Vrablik
Inverness Park District Commissioner