By Liz Lape
PEKIN, Ill. (25 News) – Pekin Park District leaders are asking voters whether they will support a property tax increase, aiming to place a referendum on the November ballot.
Park District Executive Director Cameron Bettin said residents are being asked to fill out a survey they may have received in the mail. The survey asks whether they would support a rate increase of .83% or .149%.
The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an extra $27.54 annually, or an additional $49.56 a year, said Bettin.
He said it’s been more than 45 years since the park district has sought a tax hike.
Bettin said that since salaries increased a few years ago, it’s harder to come up with the money to fund repairs and park improvements.
“It’s really become a challenge operationally for us to try to get these things done,” he said. “A tax rate increase will generate more funds.”
Bettin said the increase could generate about $900,000 each year for the district.
He said a park district consultant will review the results and recommend whether to move forward with the referendum.
The mailed survey comes with a QR code and closes early next week, according to Betti.
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