Deerfield Budget Would Raise Property Taxes, Maintain Services

DEERFIELD, IL —The Deerfield Village Board's committee of the whole held a budget hearing Monday to the discuss the village's 2018 proposed budget. Village officials anticipate taking in just over $50 million in revenue next year and will ask for an increase of 2.56 percent in the property tax levy. A truth in taxation hearing on the property tax levy has been scheduled for Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

A change in state law that makes home rule communities kick back a 2 percent administrative fee to Springfield. That change sliced Deerfield's revenue projections by about $250,000, Finance Director Eric Burk said. The proposed budget also includes increases to the water and sewer rates of 4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, because Highland Park is increasing the wholesale cost of water it sells to the village.

The board has tried to keep property taxes as low as possible, as other local taxing bodies — like the park district and public library — are mandated by the state to increase taxes, Mayor Harriet Rosenthal told the Deerfield Review.

"We have other options," she said (like assessing a food and beverage tax) "but the schools, parks and library do not."

Read more from the Deerfield Review

Village of Deerfield Fiscal Year 2018 Proposed Budget & Projections

_{Top photo: Deerfield Village Hall | Patch archives}