Learning from your neighbor
We are cautiously optimistic about the village of Wonder Lake’s approach in handling a citizens group’s challenge to its special service area proposal.
We will withhold final judgment until the entire process plays itself out. But we are encouraged that the village seems to have learned from a similar SSA challenge in nearby Johnsburg.
Under the proposed SSA, Wonder Lake would issue bonds of up to $5.93 million to dredge the first million cubic yards of sediment from the village’s namesake lake. Residents then would repay the bonds through a fee on their property taxes. A homeowner with property worth about $180,000 is expected to have to pay about $165 a year for 20 years.
An organized group opposed to the SSA conducted a petition drive to halt it. The Stop Wonder Lake SSA group submitted the petitions in February. The petitions must be signed by 51 percent of the registered voters within the SSA, and 51 percent of the landowners within the SSA to successfully halt the project.
Rather than verifying the signatures on the petition with village staff or officials, Wonder Lake has contracted with an independent agency to perform the work. The thought is that the work of an independent agency will be more accurate and unbiased because the village has a vested interest in the outcome. The independent agency is expected to report its findings soon.
The village of Johnsburg recently went through a similar SSA challenge. The village itself examined the petitions, and disqualified enough signatures to claim that the challenge was unsuccessful. But Johnsburg was taken to court by the opposition group, and a McHenry County judge ruled against the village. Johnsburg trustees since have voted to appeal the judge’s ruling.
In Wonder Lake, we hope a similar court challenge is unnecessary. It is expensive for both sides, and can further divide the community.
