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Oak Park MAC weighs steep landscape cost increases, considers service cuts and native plant options
Summary
Council reviewed a landscape RFP amid large cost increases for 2025; staff proposed seasonal service reductions, conversion to hardscape or perennials, and extended trimming cycles while residents urged native plantings and questioned crossing-guard funding.
The Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council examined a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) and budget options for 2025 landscaping services after staff reported major cost increases. Meeting materials stated the countywide unincorporated landscaping costs rose roughly 80% with some area-specific increases previously as high as 130% compared with the last Oak Park contract. Councilmember Brian Trushinski summarized budget pressure and assessment levels.
"Each property in Oak Park unincorporated has an assessment tax that is 17.28 annually," a staff overview noted, and County landscaping staff suggested several cost-saving measures: reduce summer/winter service frequency, convert select areas to hardscape or perennials, eliminate annual plantings, and extend tree-trimming cycles. Council members and residents debated trade-offs between appearance, water use and maintenance expertise, with Manju (a local biologist) urging native-plant approaches and an arborist on contracts.
Residents questioned broader budget allocations: one long-time resident asked why the MAC pays for crossing guards and urged the School District be asked to contribute. The Council agreed to include crossing-guard funding and landscaping priorities in the February budget discussion and to solicit more community input as part of the RFP process.
