The Examiner U-46 News Feed

Property tax levy amount slated for U-46 board vote

By Seth Hancock
  The School District U-46 Board of Education is prepared to vote on a property tax levy item, the district seeking the maximum allowed under the law, at its upcoming Monday, Nov. 7 meeting.
  A resolution and determination of tax levy, both presented on Oct. 24, show the corporate and special purpose levy rising 6.3 percent from the 2021 extension of $298.3 million to $317.2 million, the debt service levy decreasing 1.2 percent from $32.4 million to $32.1 million.
  That makes the total levy a 5.6 percent increase, $330.7 million to $349.3 million.
  This is the first step in the levy process with determination needing to be approved at least 20 days prior to the actual levy vote. The certificate of levy and accompanying resolution will be presented Nov. 21 with a vote on Dec. 12.  
  Since the levy is over 5 percent higher, a public hearing is required which will be held Nov. 21.
  The district expects a $313.2 million levy, a 5 percent increase, but uses a defensive levy because U-46 believes the “District is entitled,” the determination states, to every dollar it legally can obtain from taxpayers.
  “Since the equalized assessed valuation (EAV) of property and new construction numbers are unknown, it is a common practice to establish a defensive levy,” the proposal states. “This means levies are set higher than what is actually expected to be received. County Clerks will reduce levies to the maximum legal amounts.”
  To also be voted on are various expenditure items including an electrical service supply contract. The item, which does not have determined costs yet, allows the district to sign a contract to lock in rates when they feel they are best, while the proposal notes rates are likely to nearly double from 2019, from $0.04698/kWh to between $0.08092-$0.08382/kWh, with where rates are currently.
  A three-year contract costing $1.1 million (education fund) for the Infinite Campus system, a three-year contract with Northern Illinois University costing $552,000 (federally funded grant) for teacher endorsements and $75,000 (education fund) with Collaborative Leadership Consulting Group to consult on union bargaining will also be voted upon.