Some residents of the Collinsville Area Recreation District understand that if they can't go through a door, they need to try the window.

The district has failed to cut expenses as much as many people think should happen, so the people are trying another route -- they are set to vote April 9 on whether to cut CARD's revenue.

Resident Mark Achenbach researched and learned that property tax rates on three of the district's funds could be reduced 25 percent by a vote of the people. If all three measures are approved, it would mean about a 10 percent overall reduction in revenue.

The district director warns that programs and personnel would have to be cut if these measures are approved. Presumably that's a tradeoff many residents would be willing to make to lower their tax rates. About 2,500 people signed petitions to get these questions on the ballot.

Even before the vote, residents have sent a strong message about the need for reduced spending. The CARD board should start prioritizing to ensure that the top programs get funded and that cuts occur at the bottom of the list.