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Resident urges Warrenville to use city fund to abate property tax increases
Summary
Bob Siebert told the council the property tax "steals money from the taxpayers" and urged use of an existing city ordinance and fund—now claimed to exceed $1.8 million—to offset tax-cap increases tied to new development.
Bob Siebert of Albright Court used the public-comment period at the Aug. 18 Warrenville City Council meeting to urge the council to use an existing city ordinance and related fund to blunt property tax increases.
"The property tax as designed steals money from the taxpayers," Siebert said, adding that the city has a revenue source established by elected officials about 21 years ago that he said "now exceeds $1,800,000 annually." He argued the fund could abate the annual property tax increase allowed under the tax cap by using roughly 11% of the yearly additional funds while maintaining the fund's balance.
Siebert cited a recent development, which he described as a "Cantera, $500,000,000 development," as an example of new growth where he said taxpayers did not receive relief. He asked the council, "What is your plan? You were elected to protect the taxpayers."
No council response related to Siebert's specific claims was recorded during the public portion of the meeting.
The commenter provided figures and a policy prescription; those figures (fund balance, percentage needed to abate increases, and the development valuation) were presented as part of his appeal and were not verified during the meeting record.
The council proceeded to regular business and later approved a consent agenda and voted to enter closed session; no public action addressing Siebert's request was recorded before adjournment to closed session.
