Western Springs Seeks $500,000 More In Taxes

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs wants to collect $500,000 more from property taxpayers next budget year. If applied equally to every resident, the 6.4 tax levy hike would amount to $37 for every man, woman and child.

Nearly half of the new tax money will go toward paying off voter-approved debt for road projects. Another fifth will be spent on shoring up the police pension fund. Like many towns, Western Springs's police pension fund is struggling. It is only 50 percent funded and its 21 active police officers are contributing to 25 retirees, according to the village's reports to the state. The village is aiming to fully fund its police pension account by 2033, seven years ahead of the state deadline.

Of a $9,000 property tax bill in Western Springs, a little more than $1,000 will go toward the village government, according to a Western Springs budget presentation. About 70 percent of property taxes are designated for schools, which is typical in Illinois.

Western Springs tax levy numbers take into account a projected 2.4 percent increase in the tax base. If that percentage falls short, the Cook County Treasurer's office has authority to reduce the levy accordingly.

At its meeting Monday, the board held a public hearing for its levy proposal, but no residents spoke. The meeting gallery was empty. Trustees then tentatively approved the proposed tax levy. It will be on the agenda for final approval at its Dec. 16 meeting.

The board also tentatively approved the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which starts Jan. 1. Expenditures are projected to amount to $29.8 million, which includes a $1.8 million deficit.

Asked by Trustee James Tyrrell how the village would make up the shortfall, Finance Director Grace Turi said it would do so with its reserves. She said the village will be in deficit because it had to front money for water projects that the state will later reimburse. "It's a timing issue," she said.

One of the village's bigger capital projects for next year is $162,000 in repairs to its water tower, Turi said.

"It's an aging structure," she said. "We want to maintain its integrity because it's the village symbol."

Village Trustee Heidi Rudolph praised the village's staff for its "overall diligence and scrutiny for all expenses" in preparing the budget.

"Everyone does a great job in balancing the need to be frugal and cost conscious with the expectations for safety and services our residents expect," Rudolph said.

NOTE: An earlier version of the story mistakenly said the tax would amount to $372 per person. The number is actually $37.