Glen Ellyn District 41 weighing property tax levy increase

Taxpayers in Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 would see an increase on the district's portion of their property tax bill under a recommendation by school finance officials.

The school board has agreed to publicize the proposed 3.49 percent levy increase, which would generate $43.9 million in property taxes to pay for operations in the 2016-17 school year. That action means the board can approve or lower the proposed levy.

"It does set a ceiling, so it can only get better, hopefully," board member Patrick Escalante said.

No matter the final amount approved by the board, the district will seek more than what's allowed under the state's property tax cap to capture revenue from new construction. Under state law, the district can raise the levy by 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. In this case, it's the latter of the two, with officials disappointed by a modest .8 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers.

Though she doesn't have the final numbers from new construction, Becky Allard, interim assistant superintendent for finance and facilities, anticipates the levy will likely grow 1.96 percent.

Kurt Buchholz was the lone school board member to oppose the measure. Buchholz said the district needs to rethink its timeline for budget planning. He suggested the approach taken by the village, where trustees approve their budget in the fall and closer to the filing of the levy request with the DuPage County Clerk's office.

"Then we have an idea what we really need for revenue," Buchholz said.

Allard said there isn't a "quick answer," but urged the board to delay any such discussion until she forecasts the district's finances for the next five years in a February presentation.

"You really don't want to adopt a budget so far in advance of the actual fiscal year or the beginning of the school year because of staffing issues," Allard said.

By far, property taxes account for the lion's share - 85 percent - of the district's revenue. Most of a Glen Ellyn property owner's taxes also go to the district. The owner of a home with a market value of $434,000 paid $5,677 in taxes to the district - or 45 percent of their bill - collected this year.

Board President Erica Nelson noted the district has roughly 10,900 parcels within its tax base, while Lombard Elementary District 44 has about 12,500, and Glenbard High School District 87 has about 54,400.

"They have a much larger geographic area to draw upon for their taxes, which drives the tax rate down," Allard said of the high school district. "And we are a basically residential community. We have very little business and/or any industry, and that's decisions made by your village board. Typically, when you look at a tax bill then, your elementary school is going to have a much larger tax rate, a larger piece of that tax bill."

The board will hold a public meeting where taxpayers can weigh in on the levy at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14. Then the board will vote to adopt the levy.