Elmhurst District 205 presents estimated 2025 tax levy; public hearing set for Dec. 16
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Summary
District finance staff presented an estimated levy increase driven by a 2.9% PTELL CPI cap and roughly $30 million in new property growth, producing a preliminary levy range of about $146.5M to $147.7M and a capped tax rate near 3.7343; the board set a public hearing for Dec. 16, 2025.
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 officials on Nov. 18 presented an estimated tax levy for 2025 that would preserve the district’s financial position amid rising costs and modest property growth.
"We base our calculations on last year’s extension of $141,291,879," said Mr. Blomquist, the district presenter, summarizing the mechanics of the levy calculation and how the PTELL cap (the lower of 5% or CPI) and new property growth factor into the rate. He said the CPI used for this year’s PTELL calculation is 2.9 percent (December 2023–December 2024) and that preliminary assessor data show about $30 million in new property value in the district.
Using those assumptions, Blomquist presented an illustrative increase from a roughly $141.2 million extension to an estimated $146.5 million; the presentation also included a conservative final levy figure of $147.7 million to capture potential additional growth. He said the capped tax rate produced by the calculation would be about 3.7343.
Blomquist gave household examples to show the local effect: under the district’s illustrative numbers, a $500,000 home could see a tax-bill increase of about $165 for the year (roughly $82.50 per installment). He emphasized that homeowners’ actual changes will vary depending on their property’s assessed-value change relative to the district average.
Officials told the board the estimated levy request is intended to match projected expenditure pressure — including an assumed 8 percent increase in health insurance, 5 percent rises for transportation and athletic trainer contracts, and higher food and utility costs — and to protect fund balance in a period of flat state and federal revenues.
The board voted to set a public hearing on the 2025 estimated levy for Dec. 16, 2025, and to publish notice in advance of the formal adoption. Administration said adoption of the levy itself will be considered at the board’s December meeting.
The presentation materials included the prior-year extension, the CPI/PTELL assumption, the district’s new-property estimate and a five-year forecast showing the district’s low-point cash trajectory if the levy were adopted as presented. District staff said they will provide updated figures from the Cook and DuPage county assessors before levy adoption.