Elmhurst council approves 2025 property tax levy, abates $7.3 million in debt service

The Elmhurst City Council on Dec. 1 approved the city’s 2025 property tax levy and a debt‑service abatement after a recommendation from its Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services committee.

The committee recommended a total levy of $22,745,975 — characterized in committee remarks as a city portion of $15,800,000 plus a library levy of $6,900,000 — representing a 9.43% increase over 2024. The committee also recommended abating all current debt‑service obligations for the city’s general‑obligation bonds in the amount of $7,341,335 and directed the city attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance, the committee report said.

The committee presenter said pension contributions increased by about $800,000 this year and that the city approved $3.6 million in general‑fund budget cuts; those pressures, along with rising costs to deliver services, were cited as reasons for the levy increase. "This translates to an extra $56 in property taxes paid to the city for the average $500,000 value home in Elmhurst," the presenter said.

Alderman Toludo moved to place the committee report before the council; Alderman Hill seconded. Clerk Tammer then called the roll. The council approved the recommendation by a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent. The minutes record the vote as unanimous among members present.

Council members and staff said the abatement means residents will not pay the roughly $7 million cost of the general‑obligation bonds in 2026. The committee presenter also outlined a five‑year operating forecast showing general‑fund costs growing faster than revenues and cited ongoing cost pressures in public safety and public works.

Next steps: the city attorney will prepare the 2025 tax levy ordinance and the associated debt‑service abatement ordinances for council consideration and formal adoption as part of the ordinance process.