Hinsdale D86 Poised To Tax To Max

DARIEN, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86 board members agreed last week to increase the property tax levy by the maximum allowed under state law.

Under the law, a public body can increase the tax levy by the rate of inflation up to 5 percent.

As of December 2022 – when the inflation rate is gauged for tax purposes – it was 6.5 percent.

In District 86, the administration recommended a 5 percent increase in the estimated tax levy for next year.

All five board members present – Kay Gallo, Jeff Waters, Catherine Greenspon, Peggy James and Asma Akhras – indicated they were fine with such a move.

Member Terri Walker was not present; a new member, Abed Rahman, was appointed to the board later in the meeting.

At the meeting, the district's chief financial officer, Josh Stephenson, said the proposed increase was large, but in line with spending.

More than three-fourths of the budget goes toward salaries and benefits. In March, the old board approved a four-year contract for teachers.

In November, the board is slated to adopt a resolution on the 5 percent hike.

Earlier this month, the Lyons Township High School administration recommended a 5 percent increase in the property tax levy. Elmhurst School District 205 is also expected to do the same.