Mount Prospect settles on compromise levy hike
Mount Prospect village trustees ended recent haggling over the 2014 tax levy this week, approving a compromise plan that will boost the amount of property taxes the village collects by 2.48 percent, lower than the 4.42 percent proposed by village staff.
The 2014 levy, to be collected in 2015, will be $17.7 million. For the owner of a property valued at $350,000, that will mean an additional $27 in taxes owed to the village.
All but two trustees - Paul Hoefert and John Matuszak - voted for the compromise.
Trustee John Korn, who initially supported the proposed 4.42 percent hike, voted in favor of the compromise. He said his initial call was "nothing more than a measure by me to show support for staff."
"Compromise is a wonderful thing," he added.
Hoefert tried to introduce an amendment that would lower the increase to 1 percent, saying it could be done without impacting village operations or its bond rating. Only Matuszak joined him in voting for it.
"It's the philosophy," Hoefert said, conceding that the difference between a 1 percent hike and a 2.48 increase was small. "It's the concept of taxation. Government should take what it needs to meet its obligations. Government should determine the services it needs. It should take what it needs to fulfill those obligations."
Village resident Ken Orms urged the board to take Hoefert's proposal one step further and leave the levy flat.
"I think you need to step back and say no more," he said. "No increases for a year. Find the money that you need without raising taxes."
Orms said his taxes to the village have gone up 370 percent since 1980.
Trustee Richard Rogers said he would love to hold the line, but it's not possible.
"There is no fat in our budget. If there was, we would be here with hatchets chopping it away," he said. "Yes we could cut more services. But would you be happy with eight inches of snow on your street or not having water service because we don't have enough people in public works to come out and fix your water?"
In addition to the tax levy increase, the village also adjusted water rates with a 9 percent increase. Future increases will range from 4 to 5 percent, officials said.
The village's budget projects revenues at $108 million, with expenses of $115.9 million. The general fund budget, $46.8 million, is balanced, while reserves are projected at 25 percent.