Park Preservation Referendum Frankfort Park District - Vote November 8

The Frankfort Park District is asking voters to go to the polls on or before November 8, 2022 to weigh in on the Park Preservation Referendum. The Park District has not had an increase to the limiting rate in over 30 years. In the 1990’s the Park District maintained 4 Parks and 2 buildings. At that time the property tax funding was adequate. Since the early 2000’s the Park District has acquired 18 park parcels and 5 buildings along with 8 ponds. Since many of the parks and amenities were new, the property tax funding level along with grants was enough to maintain 1990’s assets. The funding is no longer adequate. The District's asset's are ageing and require maintenance, no different then a home.

The limiting tax rate for the Frankfort Park District is the lowest of all of the park districts in the south suburbs and represents under 3% of the total tax bill for Frankfort voters. The referendum question asks voters if they would support an increase to the limiting tax rate increase of .112 which for a residents with a $400,000 home, this would result in an increased investment of $12.44 per month (or $149.32 annually) in park and recreational infrastructure. Increasing the tax rate from .228 to .2859 would provide an additional $969,655 annually for park and facility maintenance, improvements, and capital projects like playground replacement. The rate increase in a percentage form may seem large however when you are increasing a low number the percentage appears large. The Park District currently collects $1,891,747 in property tax revenue annually and it would increase to $2,861,402. Those additional new funds would improve the existing parks, fund the maintenance of current assets and in the future could be used to improve the parks. The future improvements may include lights on the tennis and pickleball courts, additional assets such as shelters or playground features at smaller parks.

The Park District funds the parks through property taxes and money awarded through grants. The seems to be a misconception that the Park District shares funding with the Village or other local government taxing body's. Although the government agency's partner together, the funding received by the Village and schools are not shared with the park district. The Village receives property tax dollars but also receives sales tax, income tax, utility tax, and use tax which generates significant funding.

If residents choose to invest additional resources and the referendum passes the park district will be able to maintain the current level of recreational programming and increase the level of service and maintenance in your parks and facilities. Residents can anticipate seeing increased pond maintenance including management of invasive plants species and shoreline stabilization. Improved maintenance of existing parks including landscape beds and park trees and weed control. The replacement and repairs of asphalt pathways and parking lots throughout the Park District. The Replacement of playgrounds and replacement of portions of the roof at the Founders Center.

If the referendum does not pass the park district will reduce non-essential maintenance and may eliminate free community events to address funding of critical infrastructure needs. The replacement of playgrounds would be pushed from 20 years to 30 years for replacement.

Residents can watch the video of the Town Hall meeting or view the power point to learn more at https://www.frankfortparks.org.