Huntley 158 board adopts 2025 property tax extension using 2.9% CPI after hearing and public comment

The Huntley Community School District 158 Board of Education voted to adopt the district’s 2025 property tax extension certificate using a 2.9% consumer price index (CPI) figure after a public hearing and extended discussion.

Administration presented the levy proposal and explained how the Property Tax Extension Limitation (PTE) law — which limits levy increases to CPI or 5%, whichever is lower — interacts with new construction and abatements. The presenter said the district’s cap tax rate would fall from about $4.08 to approximately $3.91 and that new construction estimates had risen from $55 million to roughly $60 million, producing an extension request of about $90.865 million. “We are asking the Board of Education to approve the 2025 levy as presented, [with] the consumer price index at 2.9%,” the administration told trustees.

Trustees pressed staff to clarify two calculation sheets in the packet: one that shows a ‘balloon’ (the certificate amount the county posts) and a second that removes that balloon to show net extension based on projected new construction. A trustee noted that, on a straight year‑to‑year comparison of total district revenues, the district could show an overall dollar increase nearer to 5–6% because new construction adds tax base; administration responded that the 2.9% figure applies to existing property taxpayers and that new property owners pay their share through the added assessed valuation.

During public comment, John Doe urged trustees to reject the levy and to scrutinize staffing levels, saying district enrollment had fallen from 8,519 students in 2018 to 8,358 in 2025 and alleging growth in administrative positions. “We have 21 instructional coaches in this district, some of which are making over six figures a year, and they are not in a classroom teaching the student,” he said. The board did not change the recommendation in response to that comment.

Board members then voted by roll call to adopt the levy certificate as presented. The roll-call vote was recorded as Missus Myerino — yes; Mister Pittman — no; Mister Prady — yes; Mister Troy — yes; Mister Peggotty — yes; Missus Murray — no; Mister Bobby — yes. The motion carried 5–2.

The administration said the county determines actual tax bills for individual homeowners because assessed values differ by property; the district repeatedly emphasized that the 2.9% figure applies to existing taxable value and that new construction increases total tax dollars collected rather than increasing the percentage applied to every existing taxpayer.

Next steps: the district will file the levy certificate with the county clerk as required. There were no additional formal motions changing the adopted certificate at this meeting.