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Lincoln Heights council advances replacement levies for fire, EMS and police amid timing disputes
Summary
Council approved replacement levies for fire/EMS and police services and discussed a general operating levy and tax budget deadlines; members debated whether to act immediately and staff warned of an August 5 county certification deadline.
The Village of Lincoln Heights Council on June 24 moved to place replacement levies for fire/EMS and police services on the ballot and debated timing for a separate general operating levy and the village’s tax budget.
Council passed Resolution 2024-R-61, declaring the necessity of a replacement levy for fire and EMS, on a 5–1 roll-call vote. Shortly afterward, council passed Resolution 2024-R-62, a replacement levy for police protection services, also on a 5–1 vote. In both cases the mayor and five council members voted yes; one member voted no.
Interim Village Manager Mr. Lemon and Village Solicitor Deepak Desai told the council they face firm deadlines set by the county election calendar. "There are two resolutions required to place a levy on a ballot. This is resolution 1, but we can't go to resolution 2 until the county reviews resolution 1," the solicitor explained, noting the county's August 5 deadline for certification.
Council tried, but in several cases failed, to suspend the rules to act immediately on other levy-related items. A motion to suspend rules for Resolution 2024-R-59 (requesting the county auditor certify matters related to a replacement general operating levy) failed at the meeting; members discussed holding a special meeting if timing required it.
The council also completed a first reading of Resolution 2024-R-58, the 2025 tax budget; staff said a public hearing was scheduled for July 8 at 7:15 p.m.
The council closed debate by noting the practical limits of the calendar and the need to coordinate with county certification deadlines before formally placing additional levies on a ballot.
