A Slightly Smaller Tax Hike In Elmhurst D205?

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst School District 205 board may scale back slightly its property tax hike for this year.

On Tuesday, the board is set to look at a proposal to increase property taxes to $242 for a $500,000 house, down from the $281 approved in December. That's a difference of $39.

Under state law, the district has through February to reduce the tax levy increase, which is part of a process known as "abatement."

A year ago, the board reduced the tax increase to $293 for a $500,000 house, down from the original $344.

In a memo last week, Superintendent Keisha Campbell said the slightly smaller tax increase balances taxpayer relief with jumps in spending because of historic inflation, staffing shortages and significant health insurance claims.

In particular, the district saw a 37 percent increase in its health insurance premiums.

In her memo, Campbell warned about an even larger abatement.

"If a decision is made to abate a larger amount, it could result in a bigger property tax increase next year and a negative impact on the district's fund balance," Campbell said.

A board vote is expected later.