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Mayor defends modest 2.5% levy request, cites EAV growth and bond rating
Summary
During the budget committee meeting, the Mayor framed a proposed 2.5% levy request as modest—about $344,000 on a roughly $35 million budget—saying the city has averaged a 0.725% levy increase over four years and is using EAV growth to limit homeowner impact.
The Kankakee City Mayor defended a proposed 2.5% levy request at the budget committee meeting, saying the increase would raise roughly $344,000 on a city budget of approximately $35 million and arguing the request is conservative in context.
"There's a 2.5% levy request. And some people will sit there and say, well, you're asking for 2.5... If you look at the last 4 years of what the city has levied, I have averaged that out. It's less than 1%. It's actually 0.725," the Mayor said, urging staff and councillors to explain those facts to residents who raised concerns on social media. The Mayor added that cost pressures—seven union contracts with salary increases, health insurance, workers' compensation and liability insurance—mean the city must identify revenue to cover roughly $700,000–$800,000 in recurring cost increases.
Comptroller Rogers explained the city benefited from EAV (equalized assessed value) growth, which lets the municipality lower its property tax rate while still generating additional revenue from new growth. Rogers and staff also described a standard set of annual abatements processed with the county clerk (including TIF 8 and ESU) and said they plan to abate nearly $7.86 million related to pension obligation bonds; that abatement is offset by the city's 2% sales tax dedicated to debt service.
The Mayor said the city's improved bond rating (A‑) reflects fiscal progress and encouraged council members to use consistent public messaging to correct misunderstandings about who bears the tax burden. The committee discussed levy details and scheduled further consideration at upcoming meetings.
No formal levy ordinance vote took place at this session; staff will return with final figures after EAV finalization in spring.
