Oak Park advisory council backs CSA4 assessment increase, rejects forming CSD

The Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council voted 4–1 on April 30 to pursue an assessment increase under Community Services Area 4 (CSA4) and to continue with the current CSA4 governance model rather than forming a Community Services District (CSD). Brianna Adams moved for the council to take that position; Jane Nye seconded. The vote in favor included Adams, Nye, JL Diaz and Chair Michelle Santucci; Councilmember Brian Trushinski voted no.

Supervisor Jeff Gorell and Joan Araujo, Public Works Central Services Director, told the council an engineer's report would be required to evaluate funding needs and to prepare an assessment proposal. "Providing direction would allow the County to move forward with a governance model and that Public Works requires direction to proceed with next steps, including development of an engineer's report," Gorell said during the presentation. Council members emphasized that current tax revenues are insufficient to sustain desired service levels and described the situation as financially urgent.

Council discussion stressed that additional funding is needed regardless of the governance structure. JL Diaz said the council must ensure adequate funding for upcoming years, and Brian Trushinski said he supports addressing CSA4 funding needs but treats CSD formation as a separate question. Following the vote, the MAC directed staff to proceed with the next steps, including initiating the engineer's report and drafting an assessment increase proposal for public review and future action.

The county slide deck associated with the presentation is available through the agenda packet and will be used to inform the engineer's analysis and subsequent outreach. No timeline for final adoption was set; the engineer's report and outreach steps were described as the immediate next actions.