Decision Time: $39 Million Park District Referendum

For Arlington Heights residents who have yet to vote, Tuesday is decision day. On Nov. 6, Election Day 2012, one of the most talked about issues in the village will be determined by a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

Listed on the November ballot is the Arlington Heights Park District $39 million referendum, a proposal to improve parks at the cost of higher property taxes.

The park district plans include renovations at five buildings at Camelot Park, Frontier Park, Heritage Park, Olympic Park and Recreation Park. As Patch previously reported, the district plans to use the additional funds to enhance recreation opportunities at all locations.

If passed, the referendum would increase the average Arlington Heights homeowner's property taxes an average of $71 each year until 2037.

According to the district, 96 percent of people are satisfied with the engagement of the park district and believe its programs are well run but doesn't mean everyone supports the proposed increase in property taxes.

Arlington Heights resident, Roger Bain said there are just as many people rallying against the district’s referendum as there are campaigning for it.

“I wouldn’t have the faintest idea,” Bain of the vote, “I know my neighbors plan to vote yes but I’ve also heard of groups against it.”

Right up until about a week before voting day, Bain said he was undecided on the district’s referendum. Bain said, “I just thought, don’t know if I can support this.”

A resident in the Recreation Park neighborhood, Bain said he had some concerns and was just not convinced the $39 million bond issue was right for the community.

“I had seen a bit of the details and I wasn’t necessarily happy with the plan,” Bain said, “So I attended the meeting last week to figure it all out.”

Part of the informational campaign, “Your Voice, Your Choice,” the district held about a dozen public meetings to present referendum plans and answer questions from residents.

Bain said he was skeptical of the district’s referendum plans, “I thought was is this boondoggle?” But after the meeting Bain said he jumped from the “No” party to the “Yes” party.

“I overcame my own objections,” said Bain, “I plan to vote yes on this referendum.” 

A cheap time to borrow money, Bain said he believes the park upgrades will help the community and his property value.

“I don’t think it’s a hasty proposal,” Bain said, “They’ve looked at everything as far as what needs or should be done and for the most part I can agree.”

After attending one of those public information meetings, an Arlington Heights couple reached out to Patch to issue a letter for all village residents, encouraging people to vote yes on the Park District referendum. In response to that letter , several people posted comments urging people to vote down the proposal on the November ballot.

Ed L. wrote, “During these times, our polls should be looking at ways to reduce taxes. NOT add new ones.”

Property taxes would be raised in Arlington Heights to pay for the bond issues, which is why many oppose the referendum.

District figures show, with a median market property value of $300,000, property taxes for the average Arlington Heights home would increase about $71 per year for the next 25 years .

In the first three years, 2012 to 2015, the increase would not be as steep; taxpayers would see an average increase of about $26 because the district would mix old debt with new debt.

Approved by voters in 2000, residents are still paying off $15 million in bonds used to finance pool upgrades. Because of that old debt and the structure of that borrowing plan, the increase from the proposed park bond would not hit taxpayers right away.

Through 2015, Arlington Heights homeowners would see a smaller increase, on average, $26 more than what they currently pay.

But once those pools bonds and old debt expire in 2016, people would see a jump in their property taxes to pay for the park updates. According to the district’s figures , between 2016 and 2032 the owner of a $300,000 home would pay on average, $76 each year and $88 on average between 2033 and 2037.

In response to the letter to residents written in support the referendum, one commenter posted, “The fact that the taxes from the pool project are rolling off should come in the form of relief. Instead the park district not only wants to maintain that level of tax burden, but also increase it.”

Bain said he understands the opposing views but stands by his decision to vote yes. “There are people opposed to any tax increase,” Bain said, “But it’s sort of like, do you want to live in a place where the infrastructure is crumbling or do you want to live in a place where you pay taxes? 

Another Patch commenter said the village should be more focused on other things, like cutting crime in the area and not improving the parks. 

"I know there are a lot of people that don’t want public money to do that," Bain said, "But that’s what being an active part of the community is about, you can decide to go for it or against it."

According to the park district, the $39 million would improve parks at various spots throughout the community over the years to come. 

Here is a breakdown from the Chicago Tribune of how the millions will be spent if the referendum is passed Nov. 6:

Recreation Park — $12.02 million

New community center, gym and youth activity pool to be completed in 2016.

• Existing building remains and becomes the bath house as it was in 1939
• New full size gymnasium
• 5 new program rooms
• Improved accessibility
• Improvements to the pool will include a new concession stand and deck off the back of the bath house
• New youth play pool
• Expansion of parking adding spaces and drop-off

Frontier Park — $10.32 million

Expanded gym with new community center and indoor walking track to be completed in 2015

• An expanded gymnasium with multi-purpose flooring for soccer use
• Indoor walking track
• 4 new multi-purpose program rooms will allow us to provide more and varied programs for participants of all ages including preschool, dance and aerobics
• Improved accessibility
• Relocation of the outdoor basketball, sand volleyball, tennis courts and athletic fields
• Expansion of parking adding spaces and drop-off
• Removal of the Frontier Service Center

Olympic Swim Center — $7.62 million

New gym and indoor walking track to be completed in 2014.

• New full size gymnasium
• An indoor walking track
• 4 new multi-purpose program rooms
• Improvements would be made off the Northwest end of the pool building
• Additional parking

Frontier and Sunset Meadows — $3.49 million

Two synthetic turf fields added at Sunset Meadows while current lighted fields are renovated. A new lighted synthetic turf field at Frontier to be completed in 2015.

• Two synthetic turf fields at Sunset Meadows
• One lighted synthetic soccer at Frontier Park

Camelot Park — $3.33 million

Renovated building with new gym and indoor walking track to be completed in 2014.

• New full size gymnasium
• 3 renovated and flexible multi-purpose program rooms as divider wall will be added to the existing gymnasium
• New entry/lobby 
• Improved accessibility
• Addition of an indoor walking track
• Expanded parking with more spaces and drop-off

Heritage Park — $1.48 million

Renovated building and replaced mechanical systems to be completed in 2017.

• The building will be modified so that it is useable for the next 25-40 years
• Improved accessibility
• All mechanical systems will be replaced
• Entire building will be renovated keeping the same footprint and square footage currently available for community use

Lake Arlington — $900,000

New path to separate wheeled and non-wheeled activities to be completed in 2014

• Installation of a second concentric path at Lake Arlington to separate walkers and runners from bicyclists and rollerbladers.

Registered voters in Alrington Heights can cast their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 6, click here to find your polling location.

Check back with Patch for election coverage and the results of the Park District referendum. 

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