Carpentersville considers property-tax hike

Carpentersville property owners could see a slight increase in property taxes due to an estimated dip in the total value of properties in the village after the village board approved preliminary figures Tuesday.

The village board approved an estimated tax levy of more than $11.25 million to pay for what it needs in the budget year beginning May 1, 2010.

Although the village's equalized assessed value jumped 5.25 percent from 2007 to 2008, the estimated 2009 value has decreased to $710,822,906, a 1.34 percent drop compared to last year, village finance Director Lisa Happ said.

The result is an increase in the village's tax rate from $1.330 to $1.337 per $100 of equalized assessed value, said Happ, who reiterated individual tax bills are dependent on each home's assessed value.

Happ said the 2009 levy would support general fund operations such as the police and fire departments, public works, community development and engineering functions. The levy is also used to pay down debt services and contributes to the police and fire pension funds, as well as the emergency services funds.

The levy does not include a proposed tax that would be needed to fund the construction on a new public works facility. Village trustees and officials have said there is a potential for a tax rate increase to pay off a bond that will be needed to continue the village's capital improvement program and to build a new public works facility.

"I know the tax rate is a concern for the board, but we have to continue providing services; keep cops on the street and fire fighters in the stations," Happ said.

A hearing on the tax levy ordinance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1 at village hall, 1200 LW Besinger Drive.