It was almost ten as I arrived home after Monday night’s Crystal Lake Park Board meeting.
The big news is that by a 6-1 vote, with only Board President Fred Tiesenga voting in opposition, the Board approved increasing its levy by the maximum allowed by the Property Tax Cap.
“Everyone who lives in Illinois knows we have the highest property tax rate,” the Board President said.
“I am very much in favor of a flat levy this year.
“This may be the only room where we are opposed to that.”
Governed by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during 2024, that increase is 2.9%. That’s about $206,000 more to be pried out of taxpayer’ bank accounts next year than this year.
In addition, taxation of new construction growth will sought. The estimate is about $72,000 more from this source.
Ungoverned by the Tax Cap are repayment of previously issued non-referendum bonds. That will add about $81,000 to the total.
In addition, there is a four-cent tax rate for Special Recreation which was not fully levied last year.
That particular rate will increase 45% to the full four cents next year.
There was no discussion as to the need for such a large percentage increase.
Tiesenga, who favored levying the same amount as last year–which would have cut the tax bill of a $350,000 home by about $5.40–calculated that taxes would increase by 7.7% with all the add-ons.
The cost for the levy approved will be about $26.90 for a $350,000 home, said to be the average value in the Park District.
Arguing for an unattainable 5% increase was Cathy Cagle and her allies, Michael Jacobson and Karen Johnson.
That a flat levy was unattainable because obvious with majority bloc member Richard Hickey announced he favored the 2.9% option.
With all three of the minority faction having supported a 5% increase, simple addition led to the conclusion that 2.9% would be the final level.
Newcomers Keith Nisenson and holdover Jason Heisler (who originally said he was for a flat levy) added their votes to the motion.
= = = = =
Audience during the tax levy discussion.
There were fewer people attending, fewer people speaking.
The first speaker wore a “No Kings” button.
The second sported one that read, “Resist.”
