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Beecher board adopts 2% tax levy after debate over inflation and resident burden
Summary
Trustees debated and then adopted ordinance 1445, setting the 2025–2026 tax levy at 2%. Supporters said the increase helps the village keep pace with rising costs; one trustee voted against the levy.
The Beecher Village Board adopted ordinance 1445 on Dec. 8, setting the village’s 2025–2026 tax levy at 2% after discussion about balancing municipal costs and resident burdens.
Trustee Krauss presented the committee recommendation: "2% is what we, landed on." Trustees discussed revenue needs, rising contract and salary costs, and the risk that repeatedly setting the levy to zero would make it harder to restore funding later. Mayor and other trustees noted that inflation and increased costs for dispatching services, insurance and union contracts make maintaining services difficult without modest increases.
Opponents argued about the household impact of any levy increase. The transcript records one roll-call dissent: Trustee Smith recorded a "No" on the levy vote. Supporters said the 2% rate was chosen to balance maintaining service levels while avoiding the maximum allowable rate.
The ordinance was described as needing to be provided by Jan. 1 to be effective under Department of Revenue timing noted earlier in the meeting. The board approved the levy by roll call; the clerk will file the adopted ordinance and levy documentation per normal procedure.
