The property tax rate in Bloomington may be coming down, based on discussions the Bloomington City Council had at its meeting Monday night.
No action was taken regarding the property tax rate, but City Manager Tim Gleason announced the Nov. 20 Committee of the Whole meeting is now a special meeting to further discuss potential changes.
Gleason said the valuation of the properties in Bloomington has increased, and explained the numbers if the property tax rate remains the same.
“We have narrowly an 11% increase in the valuation of the properties, and that’s through increased property values of existing property. Also a component of this is new growth in the community,” said Gleason. “So, that’s narrowly 11% if we would keep the property tax rate the very same as what it has been for the last several years.”
But keeping the property tax rate steady may not be in the cards.
“What it looks like in discussions and preparing — and again, not finalized — that the property tax rate would be reduced by the city of Bloomington…and that appears to be the direction that we’re headed as a city,” said Gleason.
Council member Sheila Montney, who represents Ward 3, said that’s the path she wants to see taken by the city. Montney indicated she wants a steep decrease in the property tax rate to lift the burden off taxpayers.
“I just ask that we take this meeting discussion coming up with humility, and understand the constraints that people are living in in this community,” said Montney. “We have the opportunity to demonstrate empathy by putting constraints on ourselves, and I hope we will consider doing that.”
The Town of Normal recently increased its property tax levy 6.8%. That increase actually means the town’s property tax rate will decrease about 10%.
In other business Monday, the council:
- Approved a purchase order with Dell, Inc, covering the city’s Microsoft licensing at a cost of about $275,000.
- Incorporated city policy for paid leave and benefits for all City of Bloomington employees, opting out of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act.
- Redefined the Class TAS (Tavern, All Types of Alcohol, Sunday Sales) liquor license for Crawford’s Corner Pub.
- Approved a change of ownership for the Shake It Up Cocktail Lounge Class TAS liquor license.
