Moraine Township trustees voted at its Nov. 12 board meeting to reduce its 2020 property tax levy, a decision that comes about a month after the township leaders approved freezing elected officials’ pay.
The tax and salary decisions were made in response to recent economic hardships as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“Our residents are suffering and we are committed to finding more effective and cost-efficient ways to serve residents,” said township Supervisor Anne Flanigan Bassi.
The total property tax levy amount will stand at $1.3 million for levy that will be approved in 2020 for taxes to be collected in 2021. The amount is reduced 2.6% from the current $1.35 million, Bassi said.
The board’s vote on the tax levy was unanimous, she said, adding that all trustees agreed that residents needed the relief.
A news release from the township about the levy reduction states that owners of a home valued at $500,000 can expect to pay less than $90 for Moraine Township’s portion of the property tax bill.
“We expect that all residents’ tax for Moraine Township will be lower, both due to the levy reduction and also because new construction is added to the tax rolls,” Bassi said.
Last month, the board also voted unanimously to freeze elected officials’ pay through the end of 2021. Those paid an annual salary include the township supervisor, who makes $45,000, the assessor, at $74,000, the clerk, who is paid $12,000 and trustees, who each get $1,500, Bassi said.
Over the past several years, Moraine Township has made several reductions, including cutting its tax levy by almost 10% total since 2012. In 2016, elected officials’ compensation was cut by 28% for the 2017-2021 term, a release from the township states.
“The saying, ‘We’re all in this together,’ has never resonated more than during this crisis,” Bassi said in the release, referring to the pandemic.
Moraine Township includes all of Highwood, most of Highland Park and small portions of Deerfield and Lake Forest. The township provides general assistance to individuals, property assessment services, election and record-keeping functions, and operates two cemeteries, according to the township website.