JUNE 2022 NEWS

Criterium and Summerfest in July

Join us for some summer fun and cycling excitement at the Winfield Criterium & Summerfest on Sunday, July 24.

Criterium-style cycling races are short closed courses that make it easy to watch. The Criterium features pro and amateur men’s and women’s races. All-day racing will be partnered with family-friendly fun in our Kidz Zone along with a Family ride, nine food trucks, a beer trailer, merchant sales, and more in a festival atmosphere.

The July 24th event is stop two of the Intelligentsia Cup Chicago series. To get more Winfield Criteria information and a full schedule, go to https://intelligentsiacup.com/schedule/winfield/. Interested in participating? Go to https://www.bikereg.com/intelligentsiacup for online registration. The online registration deadline is July 12 at 11:59 PM.

Winfield Resident Letters Overwhelmingly Support the Village’s Proposed TIF #2, Demanding SD 34 End its Lawsuit Now

Over the last several months, residents of Winfield have expressed their strong views about School District 34’s ill-advised legal action against the Village concerning the funding of Town Center redevelopment. In a remarkable display of voluntary citizen action, Winfield residents have written dozens of letters to SD 34 and the Village calling for the school board to end its frivolous lawsuit and stop wasting precious public resources.

As of early June, letters are running more than 3-1 in favor of the Village’s plan to accept Central DuPage Hospital’s offer to place their new parking deck on the tax rolls and use a tax increment financing district (TIF) to receive those new dollars for Town Center development. Only 23 percent of the letters support SD 34’s lawsuit.

What’s striking is these numbers are not the results of a poll but are the outcome of local citizens taking the time to write thoughtful letters about a relatively complicated subject. “This is an organic response from Winfield residents who are outraged by the school board’s insistence on litigation over responsible negotiation,” said Trustee Deb Piscola. “If the views of letter writers so strongly favor the Village’s position, imagine what the quiet majority of residents are thinking.”

“Winfield residents are nobody’s fool,” said Village President Carl Sorgatz. Quoting from the actual letters, “They clearly view the actions of the school board as ‘counter-productive’, ‘lacking merit’, ‘short-sighted’, ‘destructive’ and ‘irresponsible.’”

Interestingly, the letters are not just a critique of the school board’s reckless actions. Residents believe that a vibrant downtown is essential to Winfield’s future, and they are confident the TIF approach is the way to make it happen. The letters also reference other nearby communities that have also used TIF financing to successfully accomplish their economic and municipal development goals.

Further, Winfield residents identify their concerns about the deficient work environment for public safety, and the inadequacies and unsafe conditions of the police station and Village Hall. Residents hold that all taxing bodies should support public safety infrastructure.

No less significant is many of the letters tell both the Village and school board to get back to the bargaining table. Winfield residents plainly want to see the issue resolved with respectful negotiation—not through expensive litigation.

On June 14, an Illinois judge rejected one of the key arguments in SD 34’s lawsuit, finding that the Village could legally re-TIF properties. This judgement resolves a substantial portion of the case, but addressing the lawsuit’s remaining issues could still drag out for years. Given last week’s striking development, it’s clearly time for SD 34 to work with their fellow taxing bodies to find a resolution outside the courtroom.

We encourage you to join your fellow residents in making your voice heard. Residents can attend and make public statements at the next SD 34 Board meeting on June 23 at 7:00 pm, and you can send your own letter to the Village and SD 34 Boards:

Contact the Village: cbarrett@villageofwinfield.com
Contact SD 34: mrich@winfield34.org OR via a Google form at tinyurl.com/winfield34boardcomment

Upcoming Sewer Rate Increase – September 1, 2022

The Village’s Water and Sewer Fund is operated as an enterprise fund, meaning the revenues from customer utility bills must equal the cost of operating the water and sewer system in Winfield. Over the past year the Village has completed a water/sewer rate study to determine if current water & sewer rates charged on utility bills are keeping pace with the Village’s cost to provide these basic services. The last rate adjustment took place in January 2015. The results of the new study show that the water usage rate remains sufficient, however the sewer usage rate charged was found to increasingly lag behind actual costs to treat sewage. If appropriate adjustments to the sewer rate are not made, over time expenses will draw down emergency reserves and create a budget crisis to keep the fund solvent.

Following review by the Finance Committee and Public Works Committee, and subsequent public review at Board meetings this spring, the Village Board approved an increase to the sewer usage charge of $1.33 per 1,000 gallons be added to the sewer usage rate, increasing the per 1,000 gallons charge from $8.33 to $9.66 at the April 21, 2022 Village Board meeting.

Overall, this adjustment is a 6.46% increase in the combined water and sewer rate charged per 1,000 gallons. For an average household that uses 5,000 gallons per month, this would be a $6.65 increase per month. Further adjustments are not expected to be necessary for several years.

This change will take effect on September 1, 2022, and residents will see the updated rates on their September utility bills. To learn more about study and how Winfield compares to other neighboring municipalities, please visit the Utility Billing page on our website.

Important Winfield Advisory Questions on the June 28 Primary Ballot

In addition to contests for elected office, the June 28 Illinois Primary Election ballot will feature three advisory questions for Winfield residents:

1. Shall the Village of Winfield redevelop Town Center by using property taxes from the new Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) parking deck, instead of raising your taxes? Yes or No

2. Shall the Village of Winfield provide adequate facilities for our police officers and staff to ensure public safety for residents? Yes or No

3. Shall the Village of Winfield establish a Community Events Commission to coordinate and expand public events in Town Center, at the new Riverwalk Park Band Shell, and throughout the community? Yes or No

The purpose of the advisory questions is to get a better understanding from residents about how they think the redevelopment of Winfield Town Center should be financed, and the level of importance they attach to public safety facilities. Also, with the soon-to-be completed Winfield Riverwalk and bandshell, the Village is creating an opportunity for residents to participate in its programming through the establishment of a Community Events Commission.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Village Meeting Calendar
JUNE
22 Public Works Committee CANCELLED, 7:00 PM

JULY
1 Office Closed
4 Office Closed - Independence Day
6 Plan & Zoning Commission, 7:00 PM
7 Village Board Meeting CANCELLED, 7:00 PM
9 Administration & Finance Committee, 9:00 AM
13 Marketing & Communications Commission, 7:00 PM
18 Riverwalk Committee, 7:00 PM
21 Village Board Meeting, 7:00 PM
25 Board of Fire & Police Commissioners, 1:00 PM
25 Bikeways Planning Group - CANCELLED, 7:00 PM
25 Police Pension Board, 7:00 PM
27 Public Works Committee, 7:00 PM

Village Special Events Calendar
JUNE
22 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
29 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM

JULY
6 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
13 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
20 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
24 Winfield Criterium & Summerfest
27 Winfield Farmers Market, 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM

To see the full Village of Winfield calendar with more details, click here