Arlington Heights' 2016 budget calls for 2.79 percent levy hike

Arlington Heights' proposed 2016 budget, released online Tuesday, includes a 2.79 percent property tax levy increase to help fund infrastructure improvements and other needs.

The budget, the first for the village to run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, totals $157.2 million. For the owner of a $300,000 home, the proposed levy hike would mean an additional $37 for the village's portion of the property tax bill, officials said.

Growing infrastructure needs play a big role in the newly released budget, which includes new capital expenses of $4.9 million for street resurfacing and $4.1 million for street rehabilitation, according to the village.

A study done earlier this year found that the village should be spending at least $8.5 million annually to maintain its roads but was spending only $5.8 million.

The 2016 budget also includes $1.2 million for neighborhood drainage improvements and flood control projects, but more costs may emerge when the results of ongoing flood studies are presented to the village board early next year.

Another $1 million has been included for architectural fees associated with building a new 72,565-square-foot police station on the same property as the current facility. Actual construction is not expected to begin in until at least 2017 and might cost upward of $27.9 million, according to estimates from village officials.

The village board's review of the proposed 2016 budget will take place during meetings at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, and Thursday, Nov. 12, in the board room on the third floor of village hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. The budget can be viewed at www.vah.com, and people can submit questions to budget@vah.com by Sunday. The questions will be answered on the website on Nov. 5.