Joliet Park District Banking on Property Tax Increase

The Joliet Park District is hoping for a major property tax increase in the April 2 consolidated local elections. According to the Herald News, the tax hike would come with an annual cost of $85 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. It would generate about $5 million a year, primarily to pay for park operations and maintenance.

According to the Joliet Park District staff, they have been unable to keep up with the rising costs of maintenance. Brad Saab, Deputy Director of the Park District, sited the ages of the parks and facilities being the largest concern as well as the lack of ideal fundraising opportunities.

“The Joliet Park District is very dependent on weather-related activities, and the weather hasn’t cooperated for the last couple of years,” said Staab.

With the property tax increase they believe they will receive the necessary resources to maintain the multitude of parks and facilities.

According to Matt Pehle, Director of Finance for the Park District, property taxes account for 32 percent of the revenue for Joliet parks, while other park districts get about half their money from property taxes.

In an interview with Herald News, Board President Sue Gulas said the park district is “just too far behind in capital.”

“We’ve never cried wolf about our shortfall on a capital basis,” Gulas said. “I don’t think the public knows how bad things are.”

If you are interested in learning more about the tax increase and its affects, you can attend a “Special Meeting” being held by the Joliet Park District. According to a press release from the Park District, the meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Kathy Green Multi-Purpose Center located

at 3000 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60435.