District 214 Plans 3.4 Percent Tax Levy Increase

With an overall increase of 3.4 percent, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 approved the 2012 tentative tax levy at the school board meeting Thursday, Nov.15.

According to the district's figures, the estimated total property taxes to be levied are $201.3 million, that’s up $6 million from what the district collected from tax payers in 2011.

The total 3.4 percent tax levy increase is a conservative projection, the district report stated. The actual tax levy will be established by the Cook County Clerk’s office.

The tentative 2012 tax levy is an estimate of how much money District 214 will need. According to district reports, to under levy is a lifetime penalty to a district in need of revenue.

If a taxing district does not levy enough to make full use of its tax cap, it is penalized every year. That's because the extension from the previous year will always be less than what would have been available to the taxing district had the district levied enough to require the full available extension.

Approved by the school board Thursday, November 15,, the tentative tax levy will be discussed at public hearing at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

Once the hearing is completed, the board will vote on whether to approve it at that meeting.