Kane County Dist. 10 candidates disagree on continuing tax-levy freeze

The two candidates for the Kane County Board District 10 seat disagree over whether the board should continue to keep the property tax levy frozen instead of asking for more money.

Democrat Todd Zies of North Aurora believes it is time to increase the levy, at least enough to capture the full amount possible from new construction. "How long can you depend on doing that? How can you capture new monies?" he said.

Zies referred to the board's effort to adopt a balanced budget when projected expenses exceed income by about $5 million. The new fiscal year starts Dec. 1.

Republican Susan Starrett supports continuing the freeze.

The incumbent said calling the difference a "deficit" is not correct. "That's (the $5 million) just for 'asks,' " she said, and that historically requests have exceeded projected income.

Starrett favors continuing to look for money elsewhere, especially making sure the county receives all the money due it from the state.

For the last five years, the amount of property taxes the county has requested has remained at or just under $53.9 million.

The county is subject to the state's property tax cap law, which restricts increases on operating taxes each year to 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. But the first year new construction is on the tax rolls the tax cap does not apply to it.

The majority of taxing districts in the county usually ask for more property taxes than they know they will receive to ensure they take advantage of all possible new growth, and because the value of property in the district is not determined until several months after levy requests are due.

Starrett, of North Aurora, is in her first term. She is the administrator and chief financial officer of Starrett Medical Associates in Aurora.

Zies is a captain with the North Aurora Fire Protection District.

District 10 includes parts of North Aurora and Batavia.