The La Grange Village Board of Trustees published the Village’s tax levy for 2023 at its Nov. 13 meeting, but only after amending it to a smaller amount.
That original proposal called for an increase of 5 % over last year’s levy, with an additional .6 % added on for new construction in the Village.
But Trustee Lou Gale had second thoughts about the increase, calling for the Village to levy the same amount as last year’s 4 %.
“I was going to propose that we do that again this year,” he said, stressing the value of consistency, the easing of inflation, and the concern that many residents had for increased costs. “It demonstrates that we are appreciative of it (their concerns).”
Under Illinois Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), La Grange, a non-home rule municipality, can only levy the rate of inflation for the previous year, or 5 %, whichever is less.
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With last December’s inflation rate coming in a 6.5 %, staff prepared an increase of the full allowable 5 %, plus .6 % for new construction.
Trustee Peggy Peterson said she was sympathetic to taxpayer’s concerns, but she expressed concern about the Village’s ability to meet its obligations.
“While I am sympathetic to the property tax increases that the Village residents are receiving,” she said. “I am concerned that by continuing to levy less than what is allowable, it will impact our ability to recruit and retain employees to our Village and also just to meet operating expenses.”
Peterson made a counter proposal to essentially split the difference and make the levy a 4.5 % increase, with an additional .6 % for new construction — a total levy of a 5.1 % increase.
Other Trustees balked at reducing the legally allowable levy.
“This is a tough one, and this is my fifth year voting on the tax levy,” Beth Augustine said. “I believe that last year was the first time that the Village did anything less than what was recommended with the 5 %, and I believe we were sensitive with COVID and the cross pressures that was on everybody. But for the minimal saving that the homeowner would get, with the difference between 4 % or 4.5 % over the full 5, what the Village loses is significant.”
Augustine cited the pressures of pension costs and lead pipe replacements in residences that was mandated by State law as examples of financial pressures looming in the future.
In the end, the Board voted 4-2 to accept Peterson’s proposal for the published levy, with Peterson, Gale, Tim O’Brien, and President Mark Kuchler in support, Augustine and Glenn Thompson dissenting.
Trustee Shawana McGee was absent due to illness.
The original proposal called for an increase of $207.46 for a homeowner with a property with an estimated market value of $515,000 over last year’s levy. But that number will be amended by staff, and the numbers will decrease to reflect a smaller levy.
The levy will be formally voted on at the Board’s next meeting, Dec. 11, in the Village Hall Auditorium, 53 S. La Grange Road.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.