Will County Forest Preserve 2022 budget includes tax rate decrease

The Will County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approved its 2022 budget earlier this month, which includes a decrease to the property tax rate.

The district’s overall tax levy for 2021 is estimated to fall about 8% from the 2020 levy, according to a news release. The owner of a $200,000 home will pay the district an estimated $87.65 in 2022, a drop of $8.28 from 2021.

The $60 million budget includes funding for the district’s vehicle replacement fund, computer equipment replacement fund, and infrastructure maintenance and replacement fund. It also includes $16 million in debt service repayment for bonds being used for land acquisition and capital projects through the district.

“This budget allows the Forest Preserve to continue our stewardship efforts protecting, preserving and maintaining our preserves and expanding access to nature,” Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve’s executive director, said in a statement.

The 2022 budget also includes funding for:

• Construction of a local connection to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail in Manhattan

• Improvements at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville

• Replacement of floating docks at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township

• Expansion of Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon

• Interior and campus improvements at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon

• Trail bridge replacements at Veterans Woods in Romeoville and the Old Plank Trail in New Lenox

• Repaving of portions of the Old Plank Road and Joliet Junction trail systems

• Construction of the new Veterans Memorial Trail paralleling Interstate 355 through Homer Glen and Lockport