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Lake Forest council adopts 2025 property tax levy, 4.51% increase
Summary
City Council adopted the final 2025 property tax levy on Dec. 1 with an overall proposed increase of 4.51%, including phased debt service for the police facility and a $230,000 debt abatement; the vote was 8–0.
The Lake Forest City Council on Dec. 1 adopted the final 2025 property tax levy, approving a proposed 4.51% increase.
Finance Director Katie Skibbe told the council the levy phases in debt service for the city's police facility (this is the second of three years) and includes a $230,000 abatement on police bonds to reduce immediate tax impacts. Excluding debt, the general levy increases 2.16%. Skibbe said the city represents roughly 22% of a typical property tax bill and the library represents about 3%.
Skibbe provided an estimated household impact: for a home with a market value of $1,000,000, the city’s portion of the tax bill would increase by about $164.88 under the proposed levy; she noted Lake County’s estimated equalized assessed valuation rose about 8.1% and that the city’s levy figures reflect current county information.
Council members asked questions during the presentation; the ordinance was approved by roll call, recorded as eight yays, zero nays.
Skibbe noted some debt-related items will take effect when the city issues bonds in January.
