London City Council seeks auditor certification for 2.1‑mill general‑fund levy renewal

At a special meeting called to address a single agenda item, the London City Council voted to request certification from the Madison County Auditor for a proposed renewal of the city’s 2.1‑mill general fund levy. Acting President Greg Giese announced the special session and said the council would pursue only the item required to meet the auditor’s deadline.

Law Director Raquel Davis told the council the legislation is intended to renew an existing levy that must be reauthorized every five years. “What this is for is just the general operating model that’s currently already renewed,” Davis said, adding that the timing of the special meeting was driven by a missed submission and the need to meet the board of elections’ certification deadline.

Council members and staff said the proposal is a renewal rather than a replacement or an increase, and they asked the auditor to provide current valuation and revenue figures based on the existing 2.1 mills. Officials cited an estimated annual revenue of $438,841 tied to the levy; councilors emphasized that a passage tonight would not put taxes into effect but would place the question before voters in November.

Councilors moved to suspend the three‑reading rule and adopted the motion to request certification; the action clears the way for a second, follow‑up meeting to finalize ballot language once the Madison County Auditor provides the necessary figures. If both readings pass, the measure would be certified for the November ballot and — if approved by voters — would commence in tax year 2027 with collections due beginning in 2028.