FRANKFORT PARK DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: (815) 469-9400

Subject:
LIMITED TAX RATE REFERENDUM
FRANKFORT PARK DISTRICT
FEBRUARY 2, 2010

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, the Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to place a Limited Tax Rate Referendum on the February 2, 2010 Ballot for voters approval. This action was taken because the 1995 Referendum Bond that was approved by the voter for the purchase and renovation of the Founders Center and the purchase and Phase I development of Commissioners Park is being paid off. With the retirement of this Bond, the tax rate would drop 3 cents from .202 to .170. This is a ONE TIME opportunity to keep the 3 cents tax rate for capital development WITHOUT raising the tax rate and with NO NEW TAXES. This would be accomplished by requesting a 3 cent increase in the District’s Limiting Rate. On February 2, 2010, a positive vote by the residents would preserve and maintain approximately $250,000 annually for capital expenditures, park improvements, and maintenance for the Park District.

There are a number of bullet points to consider for usage of these funds:

1. The District has depleted all funds for matching grant requests to the Department of Natural Resources for OSLAD grants. We have been diligent in receiving over $1m in four grants to develop parks.
2. Developer donations have been non-existant for the past 2 years and continue to stay extremely small. That means there are no funds to complete park improvements or park developments.
3. Park improvements that have been scheduled but not completed because of lack of funds are: Commissioners Park paved parking lot improvement, Tanglewood Park renovations, Bingham Park development including paved parking, new playground, shelter, paved walking path, Indian Boundary Park renovation, Founders Center roof replacement, Misty Falls Park development, and Park beautification at Heritage Knolls, Kohlhagen, Lincoln Meadows, Timbers Edge, and Windy Hill parks. In addition, there are 16 new park sites totaling over 150 acres that have been negotiated and finalized with developers and the Village of Frankfort that will hopefully start over the next few years.
4. With the Consumer Price Index at 0.1%, the tax cap implication for the Park District budget remains flat probably for the next 2-5 years. Our costs are rising faster than our revenues. Therefore, just maintaining the current level of operations will depend on these monies.
5. The Park District can accomplish this modest amount of monies without raising the tax rate for this one time only, February 2, because the bond rate of 3 cents is coming off the tax rate. Any other time, the District would be asking for a tax rate increase and additional new monies.

The simple message to the Frankfort community is that it will have the opportunity to keep the tax rate where it is and not let the rate drop so that the Park District can maintain its high level of recreational services.

FRANKFORT PARK DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: (815) 469-9400

Subject:
Frankfort Park District Building Supervisors needed

The Frankfort Park District is now accepting applications for part time building supervisors. Must be 18 years of age or older. Evening hours are available for any day of the week. Pick up an application at the Founders Center, 140 Oak Street, Frankfort, or print one from the web site, http://www.frankfortparks.org/about/empops.asp. Return applications to the Founders Center.

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