Rolling Meadows poised to hike property taxes, fees

Property taxes and fees will apparently go up in Rolling Meadows, as the city council struggles to balance its budget.

The council Tuesday gave first reading and preliminary approval to several increases, including a 28 percent increase in the property tax levy. However, the council plans to discuss them further before giving final approval at a future meeting.

The property tax increase - $2.2 million - is mainly to meet state requirements on funding the police and fire pensions. The levy totaling almost $8 million could be cut by $1 million by transferring that amount from another fund. That would make the increase 18 percent, said City Manager Sarah Phillips.

The levy for the Rolling Meadows Library is $3.4 million, an increase of almost 3 percent.

Fee increases that received preliminary approval:

• Water and sewer rates increase 9 percent, rather than the 14 percent recommended by staff, along with 5 percent for stormwater. The city of Chicago is raising the rates it charges Rolling Meadows by 14 percent. The increase for the typical Rolling Meadows user would be under $6 per month.

• Refuse fees will increase 3 percent to $27.46.

• Vehicle license fees for cars will increase from $22 to $25.

• All dog licenses will be $5, which is an increase from $3 for neutered animals.

In other preliminary action the board decided nonunion employees will not get pay increases in 2010.