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Jacksonville SD 117 holds public hearing on proposed 2024 property tax levy; board hears PTELL explanation
Summary
The Jacksonville School District 117 board held a Dec. 18 public hearing on a proposed $27,345,041 2024 property tax levy (a 10.0% increase). Superintendent Steve Ptacek explained PTELL and the district received public comment about tax affordability and facility spending.
The Jacksonville School District 117 Board of Education held a public hearing Dec. 18, 2024, to review a proposed property tax levy of $27,345,041 for 2024, an increase of about 10.0% from the $24,859,127.31 levied in 2023. The hearing opened at 6:00 PM in the district’s board room; board President Beard and six other board members were present.
Superintendent Steve Ptacek presented the levy context and the PTELL framework, and told attendees that "the district asking for the levy doesn't affect property taxes," attributing rising taxes to the district's PTELL designation enacted by the Legislature. CFO Rick Cunningham presented the operating funds and balances and introduced the Certificate of Tax Levy with fund-by-fund proposed amounts.
During the public comment portion, resident Marjorie Peterson said she was struggling to meet her monthly budget because of rising property taxes and asked, "when will it stop?" She also questioned the district's continued spending on new buildings and asked what is being done with older elementary schools. Ben Cox of WLDS asked whether demolition of deteriorated houses in Morgan County was shifting tax burdens onto better-maintained properties; Superintendent Ptacek agreed with that assessment.
By procedure, Mrs. Wilson moved to adjourn the hearing at 6:51 PM, seconded by Mr. Lonergan. The board voted unanimously in favor (Wilson, Lonergan, Leonard, Pool, Stewart, Trace, Beard). The district will file the Certificate of Tax Levy with the county clerks by the statutory deadline (on or before the last Tuesday of December).
