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Board hears staff estimate to raise 2024 levy to $2.75M; trustees ask for more data and some oppose any increase
Summary
Director Malewski recommended an estimated 2024 levy of $2,750,000 (about 10% higher than 2023) to capture the maximum allowed under the 3.4% CPI adjustment; trustees debated freezing the levy, asked for multi-year contract and revenue projections, and requested staff provide detailed impacts before the Nov. 25 first reading and public hearing.
Village staff notified trustees of an estimated levy proposal for the 2024 property-tax extension and the board debated whether to capture the maximum allowed or freeze the levy.
Director Malewski explained the Illinois Department of Revenue set the CPI at 3.4% for 2024 under the property tax extension limiting law and staff recommends announcing an estimated levy of $2,750,000 (up from $2,493,406 in 2023), an increase of about $249,000 or roughly 10%. "So staff is recommending that the village board announce an estimated levy, of $2,750,000," Malewski said, adding that the levy must be filed on the last Tuesday in December and first reading/public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 25 with final action Dec. 9.
Trustees exchanged views. Trustee Baumann stated he would not support any tax increase: "I've never voted for a tax increase. I will never vote for tax increase." Other trustees said they shared fiscal restraint concerns but wanted more information: trustees asked staff to model the levy's impact on the average resident's tax bill, show multi-year contract cost pressures (noting an upcoming police union contract), and provide a column showing property-tax rebates and general-fund budget changes over time. One trustee noted the village's budget has grown from roughly $9 million to $15 million over 11 years and urged balancing long-term service obligations against rate sensitivity.
Staff agreed to prepare additional figures and a funding breakdown for the first reading and public hearing so the board may consider modifications before the second reading and final passage.
No levy ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will return with detailed analyses ahead of the Nov. 25 hearing.
