No tax hike to build MV

[gatormom]

Dist. 204 won’t see tax hike for new Metea Valley High
By Melissa Jenco
Daily Herald

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will not ask taxpayers for more money to build its third high school.

Despite the rising cost of construction delays for Metea Valley High School, the school board adopted a resolution Monday stating it would not ask voters for more than the $124.7 million tax increase they already approved.

Construction was due to start this spring on the 3,000-student facility on an 80-acre campus on the Brach-Brodie property off of Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora.

The district owns 25 acres of the property but has been unable to reach an agreement with the owners of the remaining 55 acres as to the value of the land and must wait until September for a jury to set a price.

District officials estimate the project will cost an additional $8 million if construction starts next March versus starting in the next few months. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

Hoping to gain immediate access to the land, the district turned to state legislators to give it “quick-take” powers so it could begin construction on the property. However, not all legislators are on board with the proposal.

Superintendent Howard Crouse said the board’s promise not to ask taxpayers for more money than they already approved even if construction costs increase was a way of appeasing lawmakers who are hesitant to get involved with decisions on a local level.

“It removes one of the philosophical, if you will, political hurdles to us acquiring the property,” he said.

The legislature is now in overtime as it tries to reach an agreement on the state’s budget. The quick-take proposal is in the Senate, which does not met again until Thursday.

[warriorpride]

gatormom said:

Dist. 204 won’t see tax hike for new Metea Valley High
By Melissa Jenco
Daily Herald

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will not ask taxpayers for more money to build its third high school.

Despite the rising cost of construction delays for Metea Valley High School, the school board adopted a resolution Monday stating it would not ask voters for more than the $124.7 million tax increase they already approved.

Construction was due to start this spring on the 3,000-student facility on an 80-acre campus on the Brach-Brodie property off of Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora.

The district owns 25 acres of the property but has been unable to reach an agreement with the owners of the remaining 55 acres as to the value of the land and must wait until September for a jury to set a price.

District officials estimate the project will cost an additional $8 million if construction starts next March versus starting in the next few months. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

Hoping to gain immediate access to the land, the district turned to state legislators to give it “quick-take” powers so it could begin construction on the property. However, not all legislators are on board with the proposal.

Superintendent Howard Crouse said the board’s promise not to ask taxpayers for more money than they already approved even if construction costs increase was a way of appeasing lawmakers who are hesitant to get involved with decisions on a local level.

“It removes one of the philosophical, if you will, political hurdles to us acquiring the property,” he said.

The legislature is now in overtime as it tries to reach an agreement on the state’s budget. The quick-take proposal is in the Senate, which does not met again until Thursday.

I didn't take my smart pills today. Can someone help me understand the red text? I don't follow the correlation.

[gatormom]

District 204 land acquisition plans remain under scrutiny
June 8, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer

All sides for and against "quick-take" legislation for Indian Prairie School District 204 came to the table Thursday.

The district is seeking the one-time use quick-take authority to obtain 55 acres of the Brach-Brodie property. If the state Legislature grants the authority, the district will be able to take immediate possession of the land and let a jury later determine the price per acre.

District 204 Superintendent Howie Crouse and school board President Mark Metzger met with Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton. Lobbyists for the Brach-Brodie trust also attended the meeting.

"We discussed areas of mutual agreement and areas of continuing contention," Crouse said. "We all left the meeting with specific responsibilities and expectations that we would continue to discuss this between the district and trust and report back to our three senators."

The district wants to build 3,000-seat Metea Valley High School on 80 acres along 75th Street and the future extension of Commons Drive in Aurora. It plans to open the school in the fall of 2009.

The trial for the condemnation lawsuit is scheduled for September.

Holmes said the meeting was beneficial to all parties involved.

"We are all in agreement that this third high school must be built, but disagreement remains between both parties as to how we can achieve that ultimate goal," Holmes said.

I think Senator Holmes principal worry is that if the district had quick take and if the verdict came in too high, that the Board would put a further referendum on the ballot and anger the taxpayers, who would take that anger out on her.

ETA: Once again, she won by a very slim margin and seems to be doing everything in her power to protect her seat.

[warriorpride]

gatormom said:

District 204 land acquisition plans remain under scrutiny
June 8, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer

All sides for and against "quick-take" legislation for Indian Prairie School District 204 came to the table Thursday.

The district is seeking the one-time use quick-take authority to obtain 55 acres of the Brach-Brodie property. If the state Legislature grants the authority, the district will be able to take immediate possession of the land and let a jury later determine the price per acre.

District 204 Superintendent Howie Crouse and school board President Mark Metzger met with Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton. Lobbyists for the Brach-Brodie trust also attended the meeting.

"We discussed areas of mutual agreement and areas of continuing contention," Crouse said. "We all left the meeting with specific responsibilities and expectations that we would continue to discuss this between the district and trust and report back to our three senators."

The district wants to build 3,000-seat Metea Valley High School on 80 acres along 75th Street and the future extension of Commons Drive in Aurora. It plans to open the school in the fall of 2009.

The trial for the condemnation lawsuit is scheduled for September.

Holmes said the meeting was beneficial to all parties involved.

"We are all in agreement that this third high school must be built, but disagreement remains between both parties as to how we can achieve that ultimate goal," Holmes said.

I think Senator Holmes principal worry is that if the district had quick take and if the verdict came in too high, that the Board would put a further referendum on the ballot and anger the taxpayers, who would take that anger out on her.

ETA: Once again, she won by a very slim margin and seems to be doing everything in her power to protect her seat.

Thanks GM, that makes sense, I guess. However, isn't it fairly safe to say that there aren't any lower-cost, feasible options, at this point?

And, isn't delaying the start of construction going to ALWAYS increase the overall cost, or am I missing some scenario where the cost could be lower? I'm assuming that the land price determined via the current legal proceedings and the land price determined via quick would be one and the the same - is this correct?

[wvhsparent]

Plus I think if they asked for more money from the taxpayers...They would not get it....then what?

[gatordog]

gatormom said:

District 204 land acquisition plans remain under scrutiny
June 8, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer

....
District 204 Superintendent Howie Crouse and school board President Mark Metzger met with Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton. Lobbyists for the Brach-Brodie trust also attended the meeting.

"We discussed areas of mutual agreement and areas of continuing contention," Crouse said. "We all left the meeting with specific responsibilities and expectations that we would continue to discuss this between the district and trust and report back to our three senators."

.....

I think Senator Holmes principal worry is that if the district had quick take and if the verdict came in too high, that the Board would put a further referendum on the ballot and anger the taxpayers, who would take that anger out on her.

ETA: Once again, she won by a very slim margin and seems to be doing everything in her power to protect her seat.

Gatormom, I think this is a very good analysis. To me, this is slick, slick, slick politician stuff...lacking in principle and leadership. Her political maneuvers take precedent over kids educational needs.

I notice one thing from your above article, and I will give Sen Holmes credit for this. She seems to be trying as a mediator, to use her bully-pulpit, to jawbone the parties into agreement. Maybe, just maybe, she can pull a rabbit out of her hat and get this done. I hope so. But to me, the odds seem long. As somebody early pointed out, I think her tacticts here are more to meet her goal of being able to say "gee I tried", moreso than getting land in the hands of the SD.

However, in my strong opinion, she is a legislator....and she should legislate. She can try and make a law to get this done, and thats what I asked of her as a constituent. She seems to have passed on the opportunity to do this.

Final point: what is the "financial risk" with quick-take? If the jury verdict comes in "too high" and SB walks away from BB....what do you think owners will ask for land choices B,C,D etc. ? It will be at or near the fair-market value as set by trial, wont it? Like it or not, without settlement, its all tied to trial. I have no problem with it, because I trust the jury to hear the facts and come to a fair and logical decision.

[blankcheck]

on your final point gatormom, there is financial risk with quick take. If we are allowed to do this and proceed with construction on the school, we are obligated then to pay whatever the jury decides for the land. We will not be allowed to walk away.

So they say they will not ask for the extra 8 million (at least that is the extra cost thus far) from the taxpayers. So where will that money come from? Will they be scaling back the school and then come back to us to "finish" it off by putting that extra cost on the 2009 referendum (They have been known to do this)?

[gatormom]

blankcheck said:

So they say they will not ask for the extra 8 million (at least that is the extra cost thus far) from the taxpayers. So where will that money come from? Will they be scaling back the school and then come back to us to "finish" it off by putting that extra cost on the 2009 referendum (They have been known to do this)?

Dave Holm, assistant superintendent of business and finance, said the district can take advantage of about $13 million in extra funds from a combination of interest on bonds, land cash donations and leftover construction monies from other projects.

This was covered earlier in May. I do not get the impression that scaling back the building is in the plans.

[gatormom]

blankcheck said:

on your final point gatormom, there is financial risk with quick take. If we are allowed to do this and proceed with construction on the school, we are obligated then to pay whatever the jury decides for the land. We will not be allowed to walk away.

gatordog said:

Final point: what is the "financial risk" with quick-take? If the jury verdict comes in "too high" and SB walks away from BB....what do you think owners will ask for land choices B,C,D etc. ? It will be at or near the fair-market value as set by trial, wont it? Like it or not, without settlement, its all tied to trial. I have no problem with it, because I trust the jury to hear the facts and come to a fair and logical decision.

I think Gatordog answered your concern. Whether we get quick-take or not, the price for the land will be set by the jury. Do you think plan B, C, or D will accept anything less?

[warriorpride]

blankcheck said:

on your final point gatormom, there is financial risk with quick take. If we are allowed to do this and proceed with construction on the school, we are obligated then to pay whatever the jury decides for the land. We will not be allowed to walk away.

So they say they will not ask for the extra 8 million (at least that is the extra cost thus far) from the taxpayers. So where will that money come from? Will they be scaling back the school and then come back to us to "finish" it off by putting that extra cost on the 2009 referendum (They have been known to do this)?

I still don't see a less expensive, feasible option - does anyone else? And if building now vs. later can save $8M, then we've got an extra $8M to play with with for the purchase price.

[blankcheck]

I don't know since we have not been privy to any other plan. You are truly ok with this quick take plan? People I speak with outside the district regarding this idea are truly shocked that they would take a gamble like this.

Regarding the scaling back of the school, I guess we will have to see. They always seem to find money from whatever area (Waubonsie renovations). They have done it before with the construction of NV so don't be surprised if it happens again.

[warriorpride]

blankcheck said:

I don't know since we have not been privy to any other plan. You are truly ok with this quick take plan? People I speak with outside the district regarding this idea are truly shocked that they would take a gamble like this.

Regarding the scaling back of the school, I guess we will have to see. They always seem to find money from whatever area (Waubonsie renovations). They have done it before with the construction of NV so don't be surprised if it happens again.

I'm OK with quick-take unless someone can quickly come up with a lower cost, feasible option (i.e. that includes an '09 opening AND doesn't compromise anything else - like the location - in a major way).

[bob]

If it was such a huge gamble and in favor of BB, then why is BB paying big $$$ to lobbyists and fighting it.

[blankcheck]

Do you have proof that they are doing that?

[gatordog]

proof from gatormom's post a few up.

District 204 land acquisition plans remain under scrutiny
June 8, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff writer

All sides for and against "quick-take" legislation for Indian Prairie School District 204 came to the table Thursday.

The district is seeking the one-time use quick-take authority to obtain 55 acres of the Brach-Brodie property. If the state Legislature grants the authority, the district will be able to take immediate possession of the land and let a jury later determine the price per acre.

District 204 Superintendent Howie Crouse and school board President Mark Metzger met with Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton. Lobbyists for the Brach-Brodie trust also attended the meeting.