Endorsements: Yes for fund to fix roads in Green Oaks

Maybe the third time will be the charm. Village leaders in Green Oaks again are asking residents for money to fix deteriorating local roads. Two previous requests in 2016 were defeated and the need hasn't lessened, say village leaders. Voters will decide whether the village should levy a property tax - the first in village history - to address the situation. As it did in November 2016, the village is proposing a tax of 0.0928 percent of equalized assessed value of taxable property. That would cost the owner of a $500,000 home about $155 a year and generate a total of $259,917 annually. For the current question, the annual property tax income would provide a base against which the village could borrow about $2 million. Green Oaks is responsible for 27.5 miles of roads and has a current budget of about $350,000 from various sources, including vehicle stickers, for roadwork. If the request is successful, the focus will be on extending the life of existing roads by pulverizing and reusing the surfaces before resurfacing, which is less expensive than excavating and rebuilding. This proposal allows Green Oaks to provide safe, well-maintained roads. We recommend a yes vote.