Property taxes, water rates rising in Lombard

Lombard’s 2013 budget will save residents money by eliminating the vehicle sticker fee, but increase their costs in two other areas.

As a result of the spending plan approved Thursday night, residents will pay higher property taxes to the village and see their water and sewer rates increase beginning with bills issued after Jan. 1.

Lombard will collect $8.7 million in property taxes through its tax levy, which represents a 3.61 percent increase, the largest amount allowed under Illinois property tax cap laws that regulate Lombard because it is a non-home rule municipality.

Finance Director Tim Sexton said the owner of a $250,000 home will pay an extra $10.97 for a total of $483.64 to support the increased levy, which was approved 4-2.

Trustees Laura Fitzpatrick, Keith Giagnorio, Greg Gron and Bill Ware voted in favor of the levy, while acting Village President Peter Breen and Trustee Zachary Wilson opposed it.

Fitzpatrick said uncertainty about increasing health care and pension costs caused her to support levying additional taxes this year.

“I support the sentiment to keep the levy flat, but I cannot this year agree to this until I know the extent of potential costs,” Fitzpatrick said.

Breen said he did not want to increase the levy because he thinks future savings from early retirements and other cost-cutting measures could eliminate the need for additional tax revenue.

Along with the tax levy increase, water and sewer rates will rise almost 9 percent in 2013 to $6.52 for each 1,000 gallons of water inside village limits and $9.78 for each 1,000 gallons in unincorporated areas.

Lombard’s new water rate follows increases from the city of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission. According to a memo from Sexton, the average resident who uses 4,000 gallons of water a month will pay an extra $8.27 on each bimonthly bill.

The budget does include some good financial news for residents: the village is eliminating vehicle stickers that cost between $15 and $100 a year based on the type and number of vehicles.