Hanover Park board approves $60,000 water‑fee waiver to help keep Safari Springs open

The Hanover Park Village Board voted to waive up to $60,000 in water‑related fees to support operation of the Hanover Park Park District's Safari Springs Aquatic Center from May 1 through Aug. 31, 2026.

Trustee John Kunkle questioned the recurring waiver, saying the village has "waived this now for 5 years, which it is a roughly about a $240,000 fees that village collects," and warned the cost is borne by all residents: "each resident in the village is going to be paying roughly $2 more year in the taxes." He said the board should look for longer‑term savings rather than repeated fee waivers.

Steve Bissett, executive director of the Hanover Park Park District, told the board the facility operates at "a severe deficit" and that without the waiver the district likely could not operate Safari Springs. "The only reason we still continue to do so is because it's a great service to the community," Bissett said, adding the waiver would let the district reallocate funds to programs and capital investments.

President Rodney S. Craig noted a longstanding intergovernmental relationship between the village and the park district, saying village use of park district facilities for community events helps offset costs in other ways. Trustee Porter and others urged consideration of that partnership in weighing the waiver.

On the roll call recorded by the clerk, Trustee Bencoli, Trustee Broccolino and Trustee Alba voted yes; Trustee Kunkle voted no; Trustee Porter voted yes. The motion carried.

The board did not attach conditions to the waiver beyond the dates and a provision that if the facility closes early no additional fees would be waived beyond the closing date. Park District staff described the district's recent $8 million referendum for a roof replacement as dedicated to that capital project and not available to cover operating shortfalls such as water fees.