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FROM THE MAYOR...
 No Property Tax Dollars Used to Build New Park
I recently received an e-mail message from one of our residents who was very concerned about the preservation of green space in O’Fallon for future generations to enjoy. This resident was particularly concerned about residential growth and the amount of property taxes a homeowner in O’Fallon pays each year.
For a number of years, the City Council and I have been very focused on providing more green space in our community for families to enjoy recreational activities. For example, in 2001 we opened Rock Springs Park. The 107 acres of native park land were donated to the City in 1967, but were not accessible. The City built a road into the park and added a walking/biking trail as well as other amenities for families to enjoy. In 2005 the City Council adopted a park land dedication ordinance requiring developers of new subdivisions to provide park space in their new developments.
More recently, we have completed Phase I development of our new 200 acre Family Sports Park. The new park is a critical part of our growing park system, and it will benefit generations of O’Fallon residents in the future as well as bring enormous immediate impact to our community. Amenities in Phase I construction include four multi-purpose baseball/softball fields, pavilions, a playground, walking trail, and a road going through the property. Also included in Phase I is the grading and seeding of the majority of the 200 acres. The new ball fields will be ready for play this fall. I encourage the citizens of O’Fallon to come out and experience the new park during the dedication ceremony that will be held on Monday, July 16th. The park is located at 301
Obernuefemann Road, and the event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m.
The final three phases of park construction will occur over a 10-20 year period and include our “dream list” of amenities. These amenities include eight baseball and softball diamonds; ten multi-purpose fields; a five-acre lake; many court sports; a three mile multi-purpose trail system; an outdoor amphitheater; numerous pavilions and playgrounds; a rec-plex including indoor and outdoor swimming pools; gyms; a banquet room; preschool and programming classrooms; a fine arts center; a theatre; a cardio and fitness area; an indoor track; and an instructional kitchen.
No property tax dollars were used to fund this new park. Funding sources include a $750,000 federal grant and a $100,000 park district grant for land purchase, a $400,000 state grant for development, an $8 million bond issue, and portions of the gas and electric utility tax, telephone tax, and hotel/motel tax. In addition, a $450,000 state grant and a $100,000 park district grant will build a portion of the walking/biking trail.
Keeping property taxes as low as possible for our residents has always been, and continues to be, our goal. In order for us to meet that goal, we have worked hard to bring more and better sales tax generating businesses to our community. When I first became Mayor, the amount of sales tax generated in the City was $1,500,000 per year. That number has grown to over $6 million today. A huge factor in this tremendous growth was the opening of the Green Mount Exit on I-64. This exit is the entryway to our City, and we will diligently work with developers to guarantee that this area is planned in such a way that the residents of O’Fallon receive property tax relief. One way relief will occur is that new businesses will pay property taxes on their new buildings.
Another vehicle for relief will be the increase in sales tax, hotel/motel tax, and food and beverage tax receipts that will occur as a result of the new businesses. These taxes are predominately paid by visitors who are staying in our hotels and not O’Fallon residents.
Residents often ask why the City doesn’t stop developers from building new subdivisions which add to urban sprawl and eliminate precious green space in our community. Under current State law, citizens have the right to sell their land and developers have the right to purchase it and build homes and other buildings. The City has no power to stop those transactions from occurring. The City does, however, have a role in regulating where certain types of developments can be placed as well as their appearance. The City Council and I always strive to ensure that every new development is the best it can be within the guidelines of the law.
To guide us in those decisions, we have a Comprehensive Plan that was compiled with input from our residents and adopted by the City Council. It specifies in great detail what type of development can be placed at specific locations in the City. For example, a warehouse or industrial development would not receive approval to be placed in a residential area. Our Planning Commission reviews most developments (both residential and commercial) that are proposed to be built in the City. Once the Planning Commission has ruled that the proposed development meets the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, the proposed project is sent to the Community Development Committee, which is comprised of Aldermen, for their review and action. The Committee votes on whether the proposed
development meets the criteria of the Comprehensive Plan, and whether it should move on to the City Council for a full vote. It’s important to note that the Comprehensive Plan is a legal document and if the proposed development meets the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as the other development regulations of the City, the developer has the right, under law, to proceed with the development.
Our Comprehensive Plan was updated last year and is one of the most important guiding documents in the City. We do an update every few years, and I highly encourage the residents of O’Fallon to actively participate in the public input meetings when the next update occurs.
It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work for the residents of O’Fallon. I am willing to meet one-on-one with anyone who has a concern about any issues related to our city. I welcome your suggestions and comments and encourage you to contact me at 624-4500. It is through your input and dialog on important issues that we will make O’Fallon an even better place to live and work.
Gary L. Graham
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