The Examiner U-46 News FeedLatest U-46 tax levy hike set for Dec. 14 approval By Seth Hancock
Despite schools remaining closed due to COVID-19 restrictions and enrollment declining by its largest number, the Board of Education in School District U-46 has given its unanimous support to again raise the property tax levy by the largest rate allowed under the law while it is set to finalize the tax hike.
Homeowners can expect a 2.3 percent increase from U-46 according to officials. This comes as the district recently reported a drop of 1,391 students in enrollment to fall to 36,623 total students.
Without discussion, the board voted 7-0 under the consent agenda for the levy determination and accompanying resolution at its Nov. 2 meeting which was held electronically. An additional resolution and the certificate of tax levy were presented on Nov. 16, also electronically, with a vote planned on Dec. 14.
The total proposed levy is $337.3 million, a 3 percent increase from 2019’s extension of $327.5 million. The corporate and special purpose levy is set to increase 3.5 percent from $285.1 million to $295 million, a defensive levy as U-46 awaits final equalized assessed valuations next year with the district actually expecting $292.8 million, a 2.7 percent increase.
The district defensively levies in order to take as much in funding from taxpayers it legally can.
“Since levies are filed by the last Tuesday in December of the previous year, it is still necessary to defensive levy to insure receipt of all property tax dollars to which the District is entitled,” the determination states.
Also to receive a Dec. 14 vote is an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) update with three other districts (300, 301, 303) concerning the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System.
The IGA “has been in place for more years than I can recall,” according to Superintendent Tony Sanders. He said: “Historically, U-46 has been the fiscal agent and housed the Northern Kane County Region 110 Educational System, and that has shifted now over to the Burlington Central School District 301.”
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