Highland School District to collect $847K more in property taxes
The Highland School District is looking to collect an additional $847,138 next year in property taxes.
The School Board on Nov. 23 approved increasing the district’s tax levy by an estimated 4.48 percent, which would generate about $17.94 million in total property tax revenue.
A tax levy is the amount of money a governmental entity — in this case, the school district — can collect through local property taxes.
The 2015 estimated tax rate would rise about 13.8 cents from the current tax rate, meaning if the estimated levy and rate holds, a taxpayer with a home valued at $150,000 will pay the district about $69 more in property taxes next year.
“Our EAV according to initial data from the county assessor is up about 1.8 percent,” District Business Manager Tim Bair said.
However, the district is ex pected to lose about $2.3 million in assessed value, due to a new disabled veterans exemption.
Bair said he also does not have enough information yet from the assessors to determine what their township multipliers will do, although Bond County believes they will be at or below last year’s EAV.
“(So) I prepared the tentative tax levy to provide some cushion for unreported properties and/or adjustments due to changes in final multipliers,” he said. “This is not as conservative as we have levied in the past, as we normally allow more for unknown items. However, in light of potential tax caps, this levy will protect our unrestricted levies (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, Federal Insurance Contributions Act, Tort and Debt Service) and may provide additional revenue opportunities in the future for our operating funds.”
Bair said he also allowed for an additional $450,000 in future annual debt service payments to make room for life safety bonds.
FICA/IMRF levies were increased to offset early retirement incentive costs and benefits for wage and salary increases.
The tort immunity was also increased to handle additional transportation, risk management and additional legal costs.
The School Board is expected to approve the levy on Dec. 21.
Board Approves Personnel Changes
The Highland School Board at its Nov. 23 approved a number of personnel changes.
New hires
▪ Matthew Sautman, program assistant, Highland Middle School (effective Oct. 27.)
▪ Michelle Draper, special services department secretary, Highland School District (effective Nov. 2)
▪ Derek Reckmann, DSR supervisor, Highland Middle School (effective Nov. 4)
▪ Kerry Wheeler, program assistant, Highland Primary (effective Nov. 20).
Change of assignments
▪ Tammy Shryock, from DSR supervisor to program assistant, Highland Middle School (effective Nov. 5)
▪ Derek Reckmann, from freshman/sophomore baseball coach to volunteer baseball coach, Highland High School
▪ Wesley DeGroot, from freshman boys’ basketball coach to volunteer basketball coach, Highland High School
▪ Austin Welz, from volunteer basketball coach to freshman boys’ basketball coach, Highland High School.
This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 3:41 AM with the headline "Highland School District to collect $847K more in property taxes."