Bartlett slightly decreases next property tax levy

Bartlett homeowners can expect a slight decrease in the village's portion of their property tax bill as the village board on Tuesday approved a 1.85 percent decrease in next year's levy amount.

"We continue to watch our expenses and pass conservative budgets with limited increases," Finance Director Jeff Martynowicz said.

Residents wishing to comment on the property tax proposal were invited to attend a public hearing Tuesday, but there were no comments made.

Bartlett's proposal calls for $9.3 million in property tax dollars, down from last year's $9.4 million.

The corporate and special purpose portion of the levy is expected to decrease 2 percent to $7.6 million from last year's $7.7 million.

The portion of the levy that pays for public building commission leases and debt payments will see a 1 percent decrease.

"It's a pretty good position to be in at a pretty uncertain time with the state unsure of what funds they'll be releasing," Bartlett Village President Kevin Wallace said.

He said years of conservative budgeting and trimming positions that weren't necessary have helped put the village in the position to keep the tax levy flat or decrease it over the past several years.

"In any organization, the most expensive thing is personnel," Wallace said.

"But it is a fine line. If you trim too much, the residents get bad service and it becomes a bad environment for employees."

The village has worked to reduce the tax bill by $700,000 in the past three years, Wallace said. Since he's been the finance director, positions including assistant golf pro have been eliminated, and existing employees have taken on responsibilities of people who retire.

"We would like to see all taxing districts follow suit by sharpening their pencils and tightening their belts," Wallace said.

The village board unanimously approved the levy amount Tuesday and will wait for additional comments before filing the proposal with the county clerk at the end of December.