McHenry County Conservation District McHenry County Conserva琀椀on District McHenry County Conservation District 4. What does the Conservation District o昀昀er residents? McHenry County Conservation District protects over 25,800 acres of open space, preserves the water quality of signi昀椀cant wetlands, lakes and streams and restores wildlife habitat for hundreds of native plants and animals within high-quality wetlands, woodlands and prairies throughout the county. The Conservation District o昀昀ers hundreds of education opportunities and provides a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities for all citizens and visitors to capture the physical and mental health bene昀椀ts of being outdoors. Thirty-昀椀ve sites are open to the public featuring 105 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of biking trails, 23 昀椀shing areas, 6 campgrounds, 7 canoe launches, 37 miles of horse trails, 18 sites with picnic areas and shelters and numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing. 5. What will be the Average Annual Cost to a McHenry County Homeowner? With the passage of the proposition, a homeowner in McHenry County, with a home valued at $300,000 would pay just $2.25 more per month, or an additional $27 per year in total property taxes paid to the Conservation District. This will take e昀昀ect in 2026 when the District's general obligation bonds are retired and instead of an increase, homeowners will see a 45% reduction in their property taxes paid to the Conservation District. 6. How will the proposition a昀昀ect my taxes in the long run? Homeowners will see a 45% decrease in total property taxes paid to the Conservation District on their 2026 tax bill. For a home valued at $300,000, this equals a $94 reduction in property taxes in 2026, while providing funding for the Conservation District to maintain and improve the quality of its programs and services. 7. How has the Conservation District demonstrated 昀椀scal responsibility? The Conservation District has been resilient, resourceful and 昀椀scally responsible by securing multiple grants and sponsorships whenever possible, leveraging resources and expertise by collaborating with local, state and federal agencies, and non- governmental organizations and by implementing e昀케ciencies and budget-cutting measures. Out of concern for the economic position of taxpayers, the Conservation District held the line on property taxes for nine of the last twelve years and has not requested voters to consider approval of a ballot measure since 2007—over 17 years ago. s s a a m m o o h h T T g g We We Protect P WATER QUALITY reserve Improve WILDLIFE HABITAT OUTDOOR RECREATION ACCESS FOR ALL NOVEMBER 5, 2024 LIMITING RATE PROPOSITION LEARN MORE: MCCD.me/Proposi琀椀on2024 Landscapes | FALL 2024 7