Oak Park and River Forest High School board members officially adopted a flat 2020 property tax levy at their Dec. 17 meeting, in their final major action of the year.
Last month, the school board was presented with three options for setting a tax levy, which included taking a full levy, a partial levy or flat levy. Board members expressed a preference for adopting a flat levy to provide some tax relief toresidents.
The school board, however, will still levy a tax on new property within the school district, which is expected to generate additional tax revenue of approximately $300,000.
A full tax levy increase of 2.3% would have allowed the district to receive an additional $1.7 million in revenues, but the school board instead asked administrators to identify a commensurate number of budget cuts to balance the budget.
As such, the total levy request of $73,409,473 represents a 0.4% increase when compared to the 2019 tax extension.
During the public hearing held prior to the board’s Dec. 17 meeting, only one public comment was submitted by River Forest resident Michael Gibbs, who said a full levy should have been adopted to address infrastructure needs, largely for the school’s athletic facilities.
“You have been elected to serve in the interest of voters of Oak Park and River Forest, but the primary reason is what is in the best interest of the students of OPRF, present and future,” Gibbs said. “I firmly think the decision not to take the allowable levy is not in the best interest of District 200. If the high school is in poor shape, it reflects in our home values. Is this decision in the best interest of District 200? No.”
During the public comment period of the regular board meeting, resident Judith Alexander expressed her support for the flat levy.
“As you know, the pandemic has created a financial burden for many in the community,” Alexander said. “A flat tax will help these taxpayers remain here. Taking a flat levy now will also increase the likelihood of a favorable referendum vote, even if you have to go to a referendum a little sooner.”
When the levy amount is broken down, $55,584,473 will be used for the education fund, $12.3 million for the building fund, $1.35 million for the Social Security fund and $1.3 million for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
An additional $1 million is set for the district’s working cash fund, $1 million for the transportation fund and $875,000 for the special education fund.
The flat 2020 tax levy was unanimously approved by a 7-0 vote.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
