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Fees Going Up, But Survey Says: Residents Love Highland Park

Fees Going Up, But Survey Says: Residents Love Highland Park

Highland Park residents will pay more for town services beginning on October 1, 2025

The Town Council on Sept. 2 approved a new Master Fee Schedule including these increases: water (3.9%), sewer (3%), solid waste services (3.5%), and stormwater drainage (100%).

The cost of swimming at the town’s pool will also increase, with the regular open season pool permit going to $65, up from $60; and the resident and guest day pass going to $10, up from $7. A new all-in-one pool permit of $125 includes pre-season, post-season, and extended season swimming, as well as regular open season swimming.

Town leaders also heard a detailed presentation on the 2025 Community Survey from Jason Morado of the ETC Institute.

Results of the eight-page survey completed by 487 HP residents included:

  • 99% of responders are very satisfied or satisfied with Highland Park as a place to live.
  • 98% of responders are very satisfied or satisfied with Highland Park as a place to raise children.
  • HP rates 47% higher than the U.S. average in overall quality of town services.
  • HP rates 57% higher than the U.S. average in customer service provided by town employees.
  • Top priorities for town services are traffic flow and congestion management, maintenance of town streets and sidewalks, and public safety services.
  • The most significant issues facing HP over the next five years are cut-through traffic and congestion, encroachment of urban development adjacent to HP, and historic and/or architecturally significant home demolitions and redevelopment.

Are you curious about the insights a survey can offer your community? Contact a member of the ETC Community Survey Team today.