Fox Lake schools to continue collecting extra tax

Fox Lake voters decided Tuesday to not lower taxes and, instead, let Fox Lake Elementary District 114 keep using an almost retired 25-cent tax property tax rate to keep class sizes and programs operating normally.

With all eight precincts reporting, unofficial vote totals show the decision was a close one, with 611 residents voting in favor of keeping taxes the same — only 3 more than the 608 who voted to lower taxes. All votes recorded Tuesday are unofficial until the votes are canvassed next week.

The 25-cent property tax rate that was approved six years ago was about to wind down, officials said, but leaders were asking voters to keep the tax rate in place and let the district borrow $3.75 million for the district’s education fund.

The vote means the 25-cent tax will run for another five years. A “no” vote would have resulted in $166 of annual savings to the owner of a $200,000 home.