Park District of Oak Park

4 www.pdop.org Oak Park Votes Yes on Nonbinding Referendum Collaboration is vital for addressing issues, effecting change On November 6, Oak Park voters approved the following nonbinding referendum: "Shall the merger and consolidation of Oak Park taxing bodies be considered, including, but not limited to, the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park Township, the Oak Park Public Library and the Park District of Oak Park, to determine if there would be efficiencies, the elimination of redundancies and/or property tax reduction for the residents of Oak Park?" What happens now? All next steps are to be determined. Because this referendum was nonbinding, no direct action is tied to its approval. e library, the park district, and the township will continue to provide quality services, programs, and resources accessible to everyone in our community with a fiscally responsible approach. Combined, roughly 11.5 percent of your tax bill comes from the park district (4.6%), the library (4.5%) and the township (2.4%). is equates to $1,380 for a $12,000 tax bill, the median in Oak Park for the 2016 taxes paid in 2017, according to Ali ElSaffar, Oak Park Township Assessor. "e Park District agrees taxes routinely need to be evaluated," said Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the Park District of Oak Park. "To date, there is no known data that shows consolidation will save money. ere is research that shows consolidation can reduce services." Since long before the referendum to consider consolidation was put on the November 6 ballot, the library, township, and park district have been collaborating to address issues and shared concerns in our community. "We know that we must work together with all other local governmental entities to effect positive change for our community," said David J. Seleb, Executive Director of the Oak Park Public Library. Welcoming your feedback e library, the park district, and the township continue to welcome your feedback in person, at community meetings, and via our websites: oppl.org • oakparktownship.org • pdop.org 4 Board of Park District Commissioners Regular Park Board Meetings are generally held on the third ursday of each month and the Committee of the Whole (COW) Meetings are generally held on the first ursday of the month. All meetings are held at 7:30P at the John L. Hedges Administrative Center, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park. Public comment is welcome at these meeting. ere is no COW meeting in August. Kathleen Porreca Secretary Kathleen.Porreca@pdop.org Paul Aeschleman Commissioner Paul.Aeschleman@pdop.org Victor Guarino President Victor.Guarino@pdop.org Sandy Lentz Vice President Sandy.Lentz@pdop.org David Wick Treasurer David.Wick@pdop.org Annual Savings through Sustainability Efforts Interior LED Lighting Replacement Exterior LED Lighting Replacement Solar Panel Systems Cistern Water-Repurposing Systems Total Annual Savings $12,250 $26,200 $75,000 $68,000 $181,450 = + + + e following is a joint statement from the Park District of Oak Park, Oak Park Township, and Oak Park Public Library. SAVINGS THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is engraved throughout our agency. Our holistic approach to sustainability involves recycling and waste reduction, energy efficiency, green energy production, employee and community education, water conservation and reuse, storm water management, native plantings, prohibited use of herbicides and pesticides, green product procurement policy, community and employee health and wellness, fleet management and habitat preservation.

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