Farm Bureau Members Concerned about Forest Preserve Tax Increase
In October, Farm Bureau sent voting members with email addresses on file a SNAP Viewpoint Survey to garner their thoughts on a proposed property tax increase for the Cook County Forest Preserves. By a two-to-one margin, members overwhelmingly opposed the proposal.
Members who supported the proposed increase indicated that they would like the funds allocated to the following items, in order of preference: maintenance of existing sites; shoring up pension funds; additional amenities at existing sites; purchasing additional acres; improvements at the Brookfield Zoo, and improvements to the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
Members were provided the following background: Forest Preserve Commissioners may ask homeowners to foot the bill for a property tax increase to fund improvements to the Cook On average, Cook County homeowners pays around $50 per year for the preserves. While not final, early estimates would ask voters to pay an additional $17 more per year. The increase is anticipated to raise over $40 million per year.
In October Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle announced that a property tax increase would not be considered by voters.
Future SNAP Viewpoint Surveys may be sent to voting members with email addresses on file. If you are a voting member and have not provided Farm Bureau with your email, please contact (708) 354-3276 to add your email.