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LaSalle committee debates uneven assessments, township multipliers and next steps on property taxes
Summary
Board members spent an extended portion of the May 5 meeting discussing property-tax increases, inconsistent township assessments and possible county responses including drafting a resolution, engaging townships, and exploring payments or incentive changes for assessors.
A prolonged discussion at the May 5 meeting of the Committee on Appointments and Legislation and Rules focused on rising property-tax complaints, inconsistent assessments across townships and possible county actions to address perceived inequities.
Ray Gafford, a board member, opened the exchange by referencing an hourlong GIS meeting and growing constituent concern about property taxes. Jill Bernal, a board member, asked whether the county could “lengthen the period in which people could make installment payings up until the September deadline instead of just the 2 payments,” to help residents manage tax bills.
Board members and staff described a complex mix of underlying causes: some township assessors conduct assessments on schedule while others do not, producing township multipliers meant to bring equalized assessed value to a county goal of 33 1/3 percent of fair market value. As one speaker noted, that process can result in some taxpayers getting sharply higher bills when a previously unassessed parcel receives a current-market valuation.
Mr. Herman, staff member, cautioned that proving statutory violations or misconduct by assessors would be difficult. “Discretionary matters within the assessor’s office…that’s gonna be very difficult to prove,” he said.
Committee members discussed possible next steps: forming a subcommittee, drafting a county resolution encouraging townships to hold assessors accountable, exploring contracts that would incentivize assessors to complete required parcels, and asking the assessor’s office or the state’s attorney for further analysis. One member said he and assessor staff planned to draft proposed language for a resolution to present at a future meeting.
No binding action was taken. The committee agreed to continue the conversation, seek more data from the assessor’s office, and consider bringing the issue to the full board or to township meetings for further review.
