IAPD shares views with Revenue Review Commission

A proposal was made for the creation of a trust fund to assist Illinois park, forest preserve and conservation districts with land acquisition and capital development projects.

Ted Flickinger, executive director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), and Peter Murphy, IAPD's legal/legislative counsel, testified before Gov. Jim Thompson's Revenue Review Commission on January 27 in Oak Brook.

Chaired by Doug Whitley, president of the Taxpayers' Federation, the Commission is seeking input from local governmental units about the impact that Gramm-Rudman and the Tax Reform Act of 1986 will have on their operations. Commission members are also seeking agencies' funding recommendations to supplement related revenue shortfalls.

Leading park professionals throughout the State contributed their ideas about future funding sources for park land acquisition and development. Meeting with the IAPD staff in Springfield are (from the left) John McGovern, director. West Suburban Special Recreation Association; George Whitehead, director, Carbondale Park District, and Jack Claes, director. Elk Grove Park District.

Presenting our needs

Testimony on behalf of park, forest preserve and conservation districts stressed the importance of establishing a trust fund which would generate revenues on an annual basis to assist these agencies with land acquisition and capital development projects.

Flickinger called for the development of a trust fund in Illinois, and he reviewed the various funding ideas currently implemented in states nationwide to fund the acquisition and development of open space. He also suggested to Commission members that a real estate transfer tax may be the new source of funding to meet the needs of a trust fund in Illinois. He emphasized that park, recreation and conservation agencies make a substantial contribution to Illinois' economy.

Sharing ideas

Murphy reviewed with Commission members the recommendations for future funding sources which were developed by leading park professionals in Illinois. These individuals included Jim Breen, director, Peoria Park Dis-

Illinois Parks and Recreation 23 March/April 1987

trict; Jack Claes, director, Elk Grove Park District; John McGovern, director, West Suburban Special Recreation Association; Webbs Norman, director, Rockford Park District; Connie Skibbe, director, Park District of Highland Park; Robert Toalson, general manager, Champaign Park District, and George Whitehead, director, Carbondale Park District.

Murphy stressed the detrimental impact that the decline in equalized assessed valuation (EAV) has had on park districts during the past three years. He also emphasized:

• the fact that park districts' Corporate and Recreation Funds have been static for more than 20 years.

• the problem which tax increment financing is causing for a number of park districts.

• the historical failure of the State Mandates Act to provide reimbursement for State-imposed activities.

• the role that the Park Land Donation Ordinance has played in park development statewide.

Commission's reactions

In a letter to Flickinger, Commission Chairman Whitley stated:

Your presentation was well received by the committee. I can assure you that it will help us in our documentation and deliberations on the revenue needs of local governments in the State.

The Commission will report its findings later this spring. Watch future issues of the IPR magazine and the Leisure Review newsletter for further developments.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 24 March/April 1987