An increase in Maine Township High School District 207’s property tax levy was unanimously approved by the board of education this week.
The seven-member board, meeting virtually on Dec. 7, approved a 2020 tax levy totaling $128.1 million, not including debt service.
Tentative action on the levy was taken by the board in November.
Mary Kalou, assistant superintendent for business, said the 2.3% increase in the tax levy reflects an increase in the Consumer Price Index and will generate approximately $2.9 million more in property taxes. The district is also levying for new property that might come on the tax rolls in the district, she said.
Taxes paid to District 207 represent approximately 25% of a property owner’s tax bill, Kalou told the board in a memo. The 2.3% increase in the 2020 levy will increase taxes paid to District 207 by about $57.50 on a total tax bill of $10,000, though the amount can vary, she said.
Taxpayers will see the increase reflected on their spring tax bills.
In November, Kalou said the increase in the levy was necessary in order to keep up with the costs of salary and benefits for district personnel. Salary and benefits account for about 80% of the school district’s budget, she said.
Earlier this year, the District 207 Board of Education approved a new, four-year teachers contract, which calls for pay raises of 2% for the first year and additional raises based on CPI increases for the remaining three years.
The increase in the tax levy is on top of tax increases that were passed by the school board in December 2019 to fund the first of two bond sales related to the $195 million building improvement referendum that voters approved in 2018.
The sale of remaining bonds will impact the 2021 property tax levy and future levies, Kalou told the board in a memo.
