Tax implications abound on Kane County primary ballots

Kane County residents would pay about $55 more, on average, in property taxes if voters Tuesday approve a new tax to benefit developmentally disabled residents.

The tax would create what's known as a 377 board throughout the county. The unpaid board would distribute the taxes collected to local service providers. The Kane County Board would set the actual levy. If the levy is set to the maximum amount allowed through the referendum, the new tax would reap about $13 million for developmentally disabled residents.

Proponents say the new tax is necessary because money collected by local 708 boards, which exist only in the south and central portions of the county, isn't enough to meet the need for services.

Opponents say local residents already have too much of a tax burden. They argue volunteer charitable contributions to the nonprofit service providers are a better method to raise funds than forcing residents to pay a tax.

Sugar Grove library

Sugar Grove Public Library district residents are being asked to pay more taxes to run the library.

It's the 13th time since 1981 library officials have asked. Voters have said "no" every time, including the last time, in February 2010.

The district seeks to raise the tax rate 7.3 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation, giving the district $332,477 more annually to spend on operations. Currently, the library collects $559,551 in property taxes for operating expenses.

The owner of a property would pay about $25 more per $100,000 of market value.

Electricity

Kane County residents in most unincorporated areas will vote on a measure that was rejected by 200 votes in 2011.

The county board wants the ability to seek an electricity provider other than ComEd for unincorporated residents. A switch to a different company would occur only if the county can secure a lower price. The electricity will still be delivered via ComEd's infrastructure.