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Residents press council on property valuations and whether the levy will raise taxes
Summary
During public comment residents asked whether the renewal will use new valuations and whether it will increase homeowners' bills; council members said county reappraisal figures are used and the measure is a renewal, not an increase.
Two residents asked council to explain how the renewal would affect individual tax bills and whether updated property valuations would be used in calculating the levy’s revenue. "I'm Linda Heil. I live at 61 Chandler Avenue," one commenter said, asking whether new valuation figures would be considered and whether individual bills would increase.
A council speaker and staff explained the Madison County Auditor’s recent reappraisal figures are used to calculate valuations and millage; they said the renewal should not increase taxes compared with current assessments. Council members provided examples, saying the general fund portion represented roughly 4.3% of a typical residential tax bill and that a cited revenue estimate for the 2.1‑mill levy was about $438,841 annually.
Another resident, who identified himself only as Leo from Shavington, asked what the next step would be if voters rejected the renewal and raised concerns that prior transfers of sanitary and water services made the renewal appear unnecessary. Councilors responded that the city would seek alternative funding if voters rejected the measure and agreed staff should publish explanatory material so voters understand how any revenue would be used.
Councilors repeatedly emphasized that votes tonight and at the follow‑up meeting would only put the question before voters; any levy would take effect only if approved by voters and certified according to the board of elections’ schedule.
