Bartlett begins discussion on 2012 property tax levy

Bartlett’s debt service levy is expected to increase due to the issuance of road bonds earlier this year.

During Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, finance director Jeff Martynowicz said the total 2012 proposed property tax levy — which includes the general corporate, police pension and debt service levies — totals to about $9.9 million, a 6.34 percent increase from the 2011 extension.

The increase in the debt service levy from the 2011 extension to the 2012 proposed levy is the most significant, at 69.6 percent, or about $706,000. The general corporate and police pension levy amount, however, will decrease by about 1.33 percent, or about $111,000.

“We like to see that,” Martynowicz said. “This is the third year where the general corporate levy is flat, so we haven’t increased taxes relative to the general fund in three years.”

Trustee Frank Napolitano asked how the levy will go up, but property taxes won’t increase. Martynowicz clarified that it was already estimated earlier this year that the bond issuance would cost a $300,000 household about $50 annually. To stay at that amount, the village plans to take a look at equalized assessed values later in the levy process and abate as necessary.

The estimated equalized assessed value decrease in 2012 for both Cook County, which accounts for 38.2 percent of the burden, and DuPage County, which accounts for 61.6 percent of the burden, is 6 percent.

Tax rates are expected to increase for the Cook County burden by about 12 cents per $100, to 97 cents, and also by about 12 cents per $100 for the DuPage County burden, to about 90 cents. That is due to the likely equalized assessed value decreases and the bond issuance, Martynowicz said.

The village board will review the estimated property tax levy on Tuesday, Nov. 6. A public hearing on the levy will take place Tuesday, Nov. 20, and the levy is expected to be adopted on Tuesday, Dec. 4.