Hinsdale D-86 Likely To Tax To Max

DARIEN, IL – A majority of Hinsdale High School District 86 board members indicated Thursday they planned to vote for a 5 percent increase in the property tax levy.

Under state law, 5 percent is the maximum allowed as long as inflation rises 5 percent or more, which it has.

Even a prominent opponent of the board majority agreed a 5 percent hike was the way to go.

The board is set to vote on the tax levy next month.

Board President Erik Held and members Debbie Levinthal, Terri Walker and Cynthia Hanson supported the 5 percent increase.

Member Kathleen Hirsman possibly agreed with their position, but the audience could not hear what she said.

Member Peggy James did not say how she would vote, while member Jeff Waters suggested a 3 percent increase, saying taxpayers would already be burdened with a recession.

"There are opportunities for savings," he said.

James asked Josh Stephenson, the district's chief financial officer, for his recommendation.

He suggested going with 5 percent, noting projected deficits.

"Next year, we have work to do to balance the budget," Stephenson said. "Any levy (below the maximum amount) would create a larger gap."

He said employees are feeling inflationary pressures, just like everyone else. Their salaries and benefits make up 80 percent of the budget.

"It's an extraordinarily difficult decision to make," Stephenson said. "Community members are struggling with inflationary pressures."

As for calls for zero-based budgeting, Stephenson said, "There are no magic bullets that can find a million dollars in favorability."

In 2013, Stephenson said, the district went with no increase in the levy and then suffered for years as a result.

When Waters suggested the 3 percent tax levy hike, Stephenson said that would have a long-lasting effect because of limits in raising the levy later. Waters' proposal would save taxpayers a total of $2 million, officials said.

"If you cut revenue in perpetuity, you need an offsetting expenditure cut in perpetuity," Stephenson said. "If you're saving $2 million of expenditure cuts, you're going to get that in salary and benefits."

During public comments, former school board President Kay Gallo thanked the board for supporting 5 percent.

She noted the 2013 decision and added that the board went too low with its levy in 2014 as well. She said that had a bad effect for years.

Gallo is a critic of the school board majority and created the petition against Superintendent Tammy Prentiss.

She plans to run in next April's election.