Dixon USD 170 introduces 2025 levy, schedules Truth in Taxation hearing for Dec. 17

District finance staff presented the proposed 2025 tax-year levy to the Dixon Board of Education on Nov. 19 and the board voted to establish a Truth in Taxation hearing at its Dec. 17 meeting.

Staff explained the annual levy process and why the initial levy often overstates requested amounts: the assessor has not yet provided equalized assessed values, and the district deliberately requests a higher levy to avoid leaving revenue on the table once final property values are posted. The presentation included a comparative graph of area school-district tax rates and last year’s levy figures. Staff said the district’s draft estimated levy is $24,714,000, described it as an overstated figure and said the final rate will be recalculated once county assessment numbers arrive in December.

The board approved a motion to set a Truth in Taxation hearing for the Dec. 17 meeting; staff said the required public notice will appear in local papers and is already posted to the district website to meet statutory posting timelines. Staff committed to present final equalized assessed values and a revised levy calculation in December before the final vote.

The presentation included background on the county roles (assessor, county clerk, treasurer) in the levy process and a reminder that the district can only collect the taxes the law and assessed values permit. Staff also noted that when an initial levy estimate exceeds certain thresholds, the board is required to hold a Truth in Taxation hearing for public transparency.

Next steps: staff will update the board packet with equalized assessed values once they arrive, publish the required notices and present detailed levy numbers and the public hearing at the December meeting.