The Normal Town Council on Monday authorized preparing a new tax levy that increases annual property taxes by a small amount.
The $14.9 million levy reflects a 4.91% increase over last year’s tax levy ordinance. Because of expected residential EAV [equalized assessed valuation] growth, for the owner of a $165,000 home, the hike would mean an extra $3.81 per year. The levy increase would go toward the town's general fund, public safety pension obligations, social security requirements and the Normal Public Library.
“An increase is an increase,” said Kevin McCarthy, town council member. “But at that small level, to close a gap and not have to cut services someplace else — because that's fundamentally what we're talking about, you can't just take half a million dollars out of a budget and think that there's no impact — it has to come from somewhere ... so for me, for such a small gap, I'm in favor of this.”
The authorization passed on a 4-2. Kathleen Lorenz voted "no," saying the example of a $165,000 home value is not realistic in Central Illinois.
“The $165,000 average house doesn't exist anymore," she said. "It's about twice that, maybe a little less, at about $287,000, so the difference is going to be not $3.81 difference,” said Lorenz. “It's going to be probably closer to a $7 difference.”
The council plans to vote on the final tax levy ordinance on Dec. 16.
Labor agreements
Also Monday, the council approved an amendment to Normal’s purchasing policy to include project labor agreements.
Mike Raikes, president of the McLean and Livingston County building trades association, said a project labor agreement [PLA] promotes stability and productivity for construction projects.
“Voting yes and supporting this ordinance is a vote to support the local construction workforce in our community,” said Raikes. “Construction workers, who choose to go into the professional trade study and work as an apprentice to hone the skills they need to build our community, will have the ability to work on these projects that their taxpayer dollar funds.”
In another matter, Normal Mayor Chris Koos accepted the gold-level water ambassador award from the American Water Works Association prior to the meeting.
