DeKalb board signals intent to hold tax rate at 4.83192%; schedules public hearing Dec. 16
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Summary
The DeKalb CUSD 428 Board reached consensus to publish a truth-in-taxation notice reflecting Scenario 3 (holding the current tax rate at 4.83192%), with a public hearing and adoption scheduled for Dec. 16; board members warned the scenario may increase individual tax bills and said March EAV changes could permit later adjustments.
The DeKalb CUSD 428 Board of Education signaled consensus to publish a truth-in-taxation notice using Scenario 3 — holding the district’s tax rate at the current level of 4.83192% — and scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 16 to finalize the 2025 levy.
Armira Doka, the district’s chief school business officer, presented four levy scenarios and urged the board toward Scenario 3 to preserve rate stability while covering operational needs and allowing a manageable under-levy. She explained that property assessments (EAV), the consumer price index and new construction totals drive levy calculations, and cautioned that appeals and abatements (including large industrial abatements and tax increment financing items) could change final collections in March.
Board debate focused on trade-offs between taxpayer relief and long-term fiscal stability. Mark Shervat, a board member, emphasized transparency and warned that the recommended scenario would raise typical tax bills: "The scenarios presented ... is going to increase your tax bill if we approve scenario 3 by about 10.7%," he said. Other board members argued that taking too small a levy now could force deeper increases later or undermine district operations; several cited recent industrial growth (Meta, Amazon) as factors in long-term revenue planning.
The board recorded a preliminary consensus (five board members for Scenario 3, one for Scenario 1, one for Scenario 1 then changed to 3; one member expressed uncertainty), and confirmed they would publish the Truth in Taxation notice (which by law lists the maximum allowable levy) and hold the required public hearing on Dec. 16. Administration noted that March finalization of EAV and appeals may permit the district to reduce the rate later if collections are higher than forecast.
What happens next: the district will publish the statutory notice, convene a public hearing on Dec. 16 and return with a resolution to adopt and certify the levy. Board members and staff indicated they could adjust the levy downward in March after official EAV and appeals outcomes are finalized.