Maine Township High School District 207 gave final approval to a 4.97 percent boost in its levy for 1997–just shy of the 5 percent mark that would have required a public hearing.
The district, which must submit its levy request to the Cook County Clerk’s office by Dec. 30, plans to tax at the cap of 3.3 percent–an automatic gain tied to the rate of inflation–with the remaining 1.67 percent based on new property growth in the district.
The increase would bring the district’s 1997 share of property tax revenue to nearly $66 million. In 1996, property taxes accounted for slightly more than $63 million in revenue, including about $600,000 from new growth.
“We probably won’t realize (the entire 4.97 percent),” said Merilee McCracken, assistant superintendent for business. “But, I’m trying to capture whatever growth we can.”
McCracken said affected residents of the district should expect a slight increase in their annual property tax bills on par with the increase they saw last year for the school district.