Flossmoor School District 161 board members on Oct. 27 debated how much to increase the district's capped property-tax levy as they weigh construction needs, rising personnel costs and the end of a state property-tax relief abatement.

Board members and finance staff discussed three levy scenarios: applying only the consumer-price index (2.9%); recapturing a full $2 million in prior-year property-tax relief abatement and adding CPI; and an intermediate option that would return $1 million to the levy and add CPI. Administration told the board a tentative levy must be adopted in November and the final levy certified in December.

"We have bond proceeds of $13,900,000," Fran (staff member) said in the presentation on district finances, summarizing capital resources available for ongoing work while cautioning that the life-safety fund has been largely drawn down. "We had money in the life-safety fund of $2,400,000 from the last 10 years of levying. We have completely depleted the life-safety fund, with the exception of $20."

Why it matters: the levy decision affects both the district's capacity to fund planned capital refreshes and its year-to-year operating ability to pay salaries and cover rising costs. Finance staff noted collective-bargaining-related salary and benefits increases are estimated at roughly $1.1 million year over year, and the district's operating fund balance will be drawn down as planned construction proceeds.

Board reaction split. Some members urged caution because of uncertainty in the local tax-billing calendar and concern about household affordability amid broader economic strain. "I'd like to kick the can down the road a little bit," Board member Michael said, citing pending county reporting and local economic pressures. Others argued the district has maintained a flat levy for many years and that modest levy increases would be needed to keep core services funded.

What the board directed: administration will return at the Nov. 17 meeting with multi-year (five-year) projections for all three levy models, including sensitivity work showing the combined effect of expected personnel cost increases, ongoing construction/one-time capital needs and possible additional construction contingencies. Finance staff said they will also model scenarios that include an additional $0.5'$2.0 million of potential construction add-ons tied to ongoing engineering reviews (see related article on construction priorities).

Procedural action: the board approved the consent agenda by roll call, which included the personnel report (No. 26007), an intergovernmental agreement with Lincoln-Way Area Special Education and a FOIA-related item. The vote was recorded as passed by roll call; individual vote lines were not recorded in the public transcript excerpt.

What's next: the board must approve a tentative levy in November; administration will use the requested projections to recommend a specific path for the tentative levy and to inform community outreach ahead of the December public hearing.